Brief Score: India (288 for 2 in 73 overs) at Stumps on Day 1 in Galle vs Sri Lanka. Devdutt Padikkal (131), Rishabh Pant (27).
India showcased an impressive batting performance on the first day of the Test series against Sri Lanka, ending the day at 288 for 2 in 73 overs in Galle. Devdutt Padikkal, playing just his third Test match, achieved his first Test century and remained not out at 131.
Highlights from Day 1 | Scorecard
Padikkal’s outstanding skills and steady composure delighted coach Gautam Gambhir, who watched intently from the dressing room. KL Rahul, who was holding steady at 77, had to step back after tea due to cramps, leading to Rishabh Pant joining Padikkal at the crease. Unfortunately, rain interruptions cut 17 overs from the day’s play, and the match was called off at 6 pm local time.
Sri Lanka’s main spinner, Prabath Jayasuriya, typically thrives in Galle, but he couldn’t break the solid partnership between the two Indian batsmen. They added a hefty 150 runs for the second wicket. Although Shubman Gill fell early for 16, he was the only Indian player to succumb to spin on a day where opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32 after showing promise.
Devdutt and Rahul complemented each other beautifully. Rahul played cautiously, focusing on countering the spin, while Devdutt was aggressive from the start, stepping down the pitch and confidently playing the ball late.
Before this series, there were concerns about India’s struggle against spin, especially in their home conditions. In recent years, Indian batsmen faced challenges against visiting spinners, suffering shocking defeats against New Zealand and South Africa. With Sri Lanka being a tough opponent for visiting teams, pressure was high on players like Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir.
Nevertheless, Devdutt Padikkal led a disciplined yet dynamic batting display on the first day. The pitch, although typically good for batting in Galle, was in excellent condition, with a decent amount of grass covering. While the spinners had some sharp turn to work with, it didn’t consistently challenge the Indian batters.
While the weather conditions favored batting, it was evident that Devdutt and Rahul worked hard to capitalize on the opportunity. Padikkal made history by becoming the first Indian No. 3 batsman to score a Test century in two years and 38 innings.
With a strong batting display, India took charge after winning the toss and opting to bat.
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