GALLE, Sri Lanka — India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 2 : India finished Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 460/9 after a rain-disrupted day at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, August 16. Devdutt Padikkal‘s outstanding 167 and Dhruv Jurel’s determined 51 helped India build a huge first-innings total, while Sri Lanka fought back through debutant Keshara Nuwantha and left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
Only 43 overs were possible on the second day after rain delayed the start and repeatedly interrupted play. India added 172 runs to their overnight 288/2, leaving Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on 1 when bad light and the scheduled close brought the day’s play to an end.
Key Highlights
- India ended Day 2 on 460/9 after batting for 116 overs.
- Devdutt Padikkal scored a career-defining 167, following his overnight century.
- Dhruv Jurel made 51 and shared a crucial 55-run partnership with Manav Suthar.
- Keshara Nuwantha took three wickets on Test debut, while Prabath Jayasuriya claimed four.
India reach 460/9 after another disrupted day
India resumed from 288/2 and initially looked comfortable on a surface that continued to offer good opportunities for batting. Padikkal carried his overnight momentum forward, while Rishabh Pant added some aggressive strokes before Sri Lanka began to make regular breakthroughs.
The second new ball proved important for the hosts. Nuwantha, playing his first Test, removed Pant and later dismissed KL Rahul, who had returned to the crease after retiring hurt with 77 on the opening day. Rahul eventually fell for 82, missing out on a century by 18 runs.
Padikkal remained the central figure of India’s innings. Having resumed on 131 not out, the left-hander moved beyond 150 and eventually reached 167 from 230 deliveries, with 15 fours and one six.
Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 anchors India’s innings
Padikkal’s innings was built around controlled footwork and a clear approach against spin. After crossing 100, he continued to attack the bowlers without losing his composure and moved past the 150 mark.
His innings finally ended on 167 when he advanced against Jayasuriya but missed the ball. Niroshan Dickwella completed the stumping, bringing an impressive knock to an end at 357/5.
Speaking after his hundred, Padikkal said he had worked for two years to be ready for such an opportunity. He also explained that his focus against spin was to have clear plans and commit fully to his shots.
“I think honestly, it’s just the hunger to score more runs.”
Padikkal also stressed the importance of remaining focused immediately after reaching three figures, saying the period following a hundred can determine whether a batter converts it into a much bigger score.
Keshara Nuwantha gives Sri Lanka a major boost
Sri Lanka’s biggest positive from the day was the performance of debutant Keshara Nuwantha. The spinner finished with three wickets for 175 runs from 39 overs and played a key role in slowing India’s progress during the middle stages.
Nuwantha first removed KL Rahul with a delivery that turned sharply and bounced, allowing Nishan Fernando to complete the catch at short leg. He then dismissed Rishabh Pant after the India wicketkeeper-batter advanced down the pitch looking to attack.
His third wicket came when Ravindra Jadeja was trapped leg before wicket. India reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking showed the delivery clipping the outside of leg stump, leaving the on-field decision unchanged on umpire’s call.
Jayasuriya takes four as Sri Lanka fight back
Prabath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing the day with four wickets for 109 runs from 39 overs.
Jayasuriya ended Shubman Gill’s innings at 16, removed Padikkal for 167 and later accounted for Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar. His return to the attack was particularly significant because Padikkal’s dismissal came just before the tea interval.
Jurel, however, ensured India retained control during the final phase of the innings. After reaching his half-century, he was dismissed by a spectacular one-handed catch from Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva at slip.
Jurel and Suthar rebuild after India’s lower-order collapse
When Jadeja departed at 377/6, India still had work to do to reach a substantial first-innings total. Jurel and Suthar responded with a valuable 55-run partnership.
Jurel survived a chance on 29 when Dhananjaya de Silva could not hold a slip catch. The reprieve proved costly for Sri Lanka as Jurel went on to complete his fifty before the Sri Lankan captain produced a brilliant catch to end the partnership.
Manav Suthar contributed 24 before Jayasuriya dismissed him at long-on. Mohammed Siraj then made 11, falling to Asitha Fernando, leaving Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna at the crease for the final overs.
India 460/9: Full Scorecard
| India Batting | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | run out (Jayasuriya/Dickwella) | 32 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 86.48 |
| KL Rahul | c KNM Fernando b Nuwantha | 82 | 175 | 10 | 1 | 46.85 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | st Dickwella b Jayasuriya | 167 | 230 | 15 | 1 | 72.60 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 16 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Dinusha b Nuwantha | 39 | 62 | 4 | 1 | 62.90 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c de Silva b Jayasuriya | 51 | 68 | 4 | 1 | 75.00 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | lbw b Nuwantha | 13 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 52.00 |
| Manav Suthar | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 24 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 55.81 |
| Mohammed Siraj | c de Silva b Asitha Fernando | 11 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 73.33 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | not out | 12 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 92.30 |
| Prasidh Krishna | not out | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Extras | 4 b, 3 lb, 4 nb, 1 w | 12 | ||||
| Total | 116 overs | 460/9 | RR: 3.96 | |||
Sri Lanka bowling figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 17 | 1 | 61 | 1 | 3.58 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 13 | 1 | 76 | 0 | 5.84 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | 39 | 1 | 175 | 3 | 4.48 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 39 | 6 | 109 | 4 | 2.79 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 4 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3.75 |
| Sonal Dinusha | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4.25 |
Rain continues to dominate the Test
Weather has already had a major impact on the match. Only 43 overs were bowled on Day 2, with the start delayed by nearly five hours because of rain and a wet outfield.
India added 172 runs during the available play, but the interruptions have reduced the amount of time remaining in the five-day contest. With further rain forecast in the supplied match information, both teams face pressure to make the most of every available session.
Galle pitch could become more challenging later
The pitch has so far offered a relatively good platform for batting, although the spinners have increasingly found assistance. The supplied statistics show Sri Lanka’s spinners took six wickets for 108 runs on Day 2, compared with one wicket for 205 runs on the opening day.
The false-shot percentage against spin also increased from 11.8 per cent on Day 1 to 16.5 per cent on Day 2, suggesting that batting against the slower bowlers became more challenging as the match progressed.
The pitch report before the Test had suggested that batting should be easier early in the match, with the surface expected to offer more assistance to spinners as it develops. The crosswinds at Galle can also help spinners generate drift.
India’s position after two days
India have placed themselves in a strong position with 460 runs on the board, but the rain interruptions have complicated the task of forcing a result. Sri Lanka are yet to begin their first innings, while India still have one wicket remaining.
The visitors must decide whether to add more runs before declaring or continue batting with the aim of creating greater scoreboard pressure. The decision will also depend on how much playing time remains available because of the weather.
India vs Sri Lanka first Test: Match details
| Match | Details |
|---|---|
| Test | 1st Test |
| Series | India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Venue | Galle International Cricket Stadium |
| Dates | August 15-19, 2026 |
| Toss | India elected to bat first |
| India after Day 2 | 460/9 in 116 overs |
| India run rate | 3.96 |
| Top scorer | Devdutt Padikkal – 167 |
| Best Sri Lanka bowler | Prabath Jayasuriya – 4/109 |
What happens on Day 3?
India will resume with Kuldeep Yadav on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on 1. The immediate question is whether India will add to their 460-run total or declare and send Sri Lanka in to bat.
For Sri Lanka, the task will be to make the most of their first innings after a mixed day with the ball. Jayasuriya and Nuwantha provided the bulk of the breakthroughs, but India’s lower order ensured the hosts could not finish the innings earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the most runs for India in the first Test against Sri Lanka?
Devdutt Padikkal was India’s leading scorer after Day 2, making 167 runs from 230 balls with 15 fours and one six.
Who took the most wickets for Sri Lanka on Day 2?
Prabath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker with four wickets for 109 runs. Test debutant Keshara Nuwantha also made a strong impact with three wickets.
