Galle, 15 August 2026:
Devdutt Padikkal struck an unbeaten 131 as India took control of the first Test against Sri Lanka, reaching 288-2 before bad light ended a rain-interrupted opening day on Saturday.
Padikkal anchored India’s innings with a composed 178-ball knock containing 12 fours and a six after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat at Galle International Stadium.
KL Rahul contributed 77 before retiring hurt, while Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 when play was called off after 73 overs.
India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 32 in the 11th over when he was run out by a combination of Lahiru Igalagamage and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella, leaving the visitors 47-1.
Rahul and Padikkal then put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure with a substantial partnership that carried India to 197-1. Rahul’s patient 77 came from 162 deliveries and included nine fours and a six before he retired hurt at the end of the 53rd over.
Padikkal continued to attack after Rahul’s departure and reached his century from 134 deliveries with nine fours and a six.
Gill made 16 before becoming Sri Lanka’s only wicket taken by a bowler. The India captain was caught by Igalagamage off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, reducing India to 236-2.
Pant then joined Padikkal and the pair added an unbroken 52 runs before bad light brought an early end to proceedings. Pant hit three fours and a six in his 36-ball innings.
Sri Lanka struggled to make breakthroughs on a difficult first day in the field. Jayasuriya returned 1-77 from 24 overs, including four maidens, while Asitha Fernando was the most economical of the wicketless bowlers, conceding 28 runs from 10 overs.
Play was interrupted by rain and a wet outfield during the day, but India maintained control whenever the players were on the field.
Scores in brief:
India 288-2, 73 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 131 not out, KL Rahul 77 retired hurt, Yashasvi Jaiswal 32, Rishabh Pant 27 not out; Prabath Jayasuriya 1-77)
