Devdutt Padikkal stole the spotlight on a memorable opening day as India finished 288/2 against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. On a rain-interrupted day that marked India’s 600th Test match, Padikkal produced a sublime unbeaten 131 to put India firmly in control. Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 at stumps, while Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make an impact on a pitch offering some assistance to spin.
Jaiswal’s aggressive start ends in run-out
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided an aggressive start before his innings was cut short by a costly mix-up with KL Rahul. Jaiswal, who had raced to 32, was run out as India lost their first wicket for 47.Padikkal then joined Rahul at the crease after coming into the playing XI at No. 3 following Sai Sudharsan’s injury setback. The pair steadied India’s innings and guided the visitors to 101/1 before rain forced an early lunch break.After the resumption, Padikkal and Rahul took control of the contest. The Karnataka duo negotiated Sri Lanka’s spin attack with confidence, rotating the strike and finding the boundaries whenever opportunities presented themselves. Both batters brought up their half-centuries as their partnership grew rapidly.By the tea interval, India had reached 197/1, with Padikkal and Rahul having added 150 runs for the second wicket.However, Rahul’s excellent innings came to an unfortunate end when he was forced to retire hurt on 77 after suffering severe cramps and discomfort in his right hand. Rahul’s knock came from 162 balls and included nine fours and a six.
Padikkal completes maiden Test century
With Rahul off the field, Gill joined Padikkal in the middle. The left-hander continued to dictate terms and accelerated against the Sri Lankan attack. Padikkal brought up his maiden Test century off 134 balls, celebrating a landmark moment in his young Test career.His century was particularly significant as he became the first Indian batter to score a Test hundred on Independence Day and only the second Indian to score an international century on August 15 after Virat Kohli. Padikkal also became only the second Indian left-hander in the 21st century to score a Test century from No. 3, after Sourav Ganguly.
Gill falls, Pant joins Padikkal
Gill’s stay at the crease was brief as he was dismissed for 16, with Prabath Jayasuriya providing Sri Lanka with their only bowler-credited wicket of the day. Rishabh Pant then joined Padikkal and immediately injected momentum into the innings, finishing unbeaten on 27 off 36 balls, with three fours and a six.Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, having struck 12 fours and a six. The pair added an unbeaten 52-run partnership as India reached 288/2 in 73 overs at stumps.
