GALLE, Sri Lanka — Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to India’s Test side with a maiden international century as India dominated the rain-interrupted opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 from 178 balls as India reached 288/2 in 73 overs at stumps.
- Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century and finished unbeaten on 131.
- KL Rahul contributed 77 before retiring hurt with a forearm cramp.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32 after a mix-up at the non-striker’s end.
- India lost Shubman Gill for 16 but finished the day strongly at 288/2.
Padikkal takes India into commanding position
Padikkal’s unbeaten 131 became the defining moment of India’s first day in Galle. The left-hander returned to the XI in place of the injured B Sai Sudharsan and responded with a composed yet increasingly attacking innings.
His century also ended India’s wait for a Test hundred from the No. 3 position, with the previous century from that spot having come from Shubman Gill. Padikkal reached the milestone after negotiating Sri Lanka’s spin attack with a combination of back-foot play, sweeps and calculated advances down the pitch.
India’s total of 288/2 gave the visitors a strong platform despite two interruptions for rain. The final session was particularly productive, with Padikkal and Rishabh Pant adding runs quickly before the close.
Jaiswal run-out changes the opening partnership
India opted to bat after winning the toss, sending Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to open. The new ball offered little swing or seam, allowing the pair to settle quickly.
Jaiswal found the boundary in the opening over, while Rahul took longer to get underway. Sri Lanka eventually found an opening through an unusual run-out rather than conventional bowling pressure.
Rahul’s shot towards deep mid-on led to a mix-up between the two batters after debutant Keshara Nuwantha became involved in the play. Both Indian batters ended up at the non-striker’s end, with Jaiswal unable to make his ground and dismissed for 32.
Padikkal seizes opportunity after comeback
The dismissal brought Padikkal to the crease, and he immediately signalled his intent by hitting his first delivery for a boundary. He continued to score positively against Sri Lanka’s spinners while remaining selective about when to attack.
Padikkal was particularly effective from deep inside the crease. He repeatedly waited for the ball to come to him before using the back foot, while occasional charges and sweeps prevented the spinners from establishing sustained pressure.
The 25-year-old also benefited from deliveries that strayed in length or direction, punishing them with controlled strokes through the leg side and off side. His ability to rotate the strike while finding regular boundaries allowed India to maintain momentum.
Rahul provides strong support before retiring hurt
At the other end, Rahul played a measured innings before accelerating as the day progressed. He reached his half-century and then used his feet against Prabath Jayasuriya, including a six against the left-arm spinner.
Rahul’s innings ended at 77 when a forearm cramp prevented him from continuing comfortably. He attempted to return after the tea interval but struggled to hold the bat properly and was forced to retire hurt.
His partnership with Padikkal had nevertheless provided India with the stability required to take control after Jaiswal’s unexpected dismissal.
Gill falls after brief attacking stay
Shubman Gill came in after Rahul’s departure and looked fluent during a short stay. The India captain produced two impressive cover drives but continued looking to attack the spin.
Jayasuriya eventually got his reward when Gill attempted another aggressive stroke and was beaten in flight. He mistimed the shot towards deep mid-off and departed for 16, leaving India at 213/2.
The dismissal was the only wicket taken by a Sri Lankan bowler on the day, with Jaiswal’s earlier departure coming through a run-out.
Sri Lanka face concern over turn at Galle
Although Galle was expected to provide a relatively flat surface early in the Test, the spinners found noticeable turn as the day progressed. Jayasuriya and Nuwantha were able to extract movement from the pitch, but inconsistent lengths allowed India’s batters to keep scoring.
Nuwantha created several false-shot opportunities and generated the highest number of such chances among the Sri Lankan bowlers. However, his inability to maintain pressure consistently allowed India to keep the scoreboard moving.
The amount of turn could become increasingly significant as the Test progresses. The ball reportedly turned by an average of 3.8 degrees in the first session, 4.2 degrees in the second and 4.5 degrees in the final session.
Pant joins Padikkal in late-day surge
Rishabh Pant initially found it difficult to score freely after coming to the crease. He eventually broke the shackles with a boundary against Nuwantha before taking the attack to Jayasuriya.
Pant struck Jayasuriya for a six and a four as India continued scoring rapidly despite the late-day conditions. The pair added more than 50 runs before stumps, ensuring that Sri Lanka ended the day without the momentum they would have wanted.
Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131, while Pant was unbeaten at the close as India finished on 288/2 from 73 overs.
Sri Lanka face uphill task after opening day
Sri Lanka will need early breakthroughs when play resumes after India’s strong start. The hosts have already seen their spinners extract meaningful turn, but the lack of consistent length enabled India’s batters to score at regular intervals.
The home side entered the Test after losing their previous five home Tests against India, adding importance to the early advantage secured by the visitors in Galle.
How did Devdutt Padikkal score his maiden Test century?
Padikkal reached his maiden Test century during an unbeaten innings of 131 from 178 balls. He combined controlled back-foot play with sweeps and calculated attacks against Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers.
What is India’s score after Day 1 of the Galle Test?
India finished the rain-affected opening day on 288/2 after 73 overs. Padikkal was unbeaten on 131, while KL Rahul scored 77 before retiring hurt.
Brief score: India 288/2 (Devdutt Padikkal 131*, KL Rahul 77; Prabath Jayasuriya 1-77) vs Sri Lanka.
