Devdutt Padikkal produced the best innings of his young Test career as India finished a rain-affected Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in complete control at Galle.
Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, while KL Rahul played a patient knock of 77 before retiring hurt due to cramps.
Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 at the other end as India closed the opening day at 288/2 in 73 overs after bad light brought play to an early end.
It was almost a perfect day for India after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first.
The only major concerns were Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unfortunate run out and Rahul being forced to retire hurt after doing all the hard work.
Apart from that, India dominated Sri Lanka for most of the day.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Run Out Gives Sri Lanka Early Breakthrough
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a positive start before an unfortunate mix-up ended Jaiswal’s innings.
Jaiswal made 32 off 37 balls before being run out, leaving India at 47/1.
It was a disappointing way to lose a wicket because Jaiswal was looking comfortable at the crease.
That brought Devdutt Padikkal to the middle at number three.
Padikkal was playing because Sai Sudharsan was unavailable, and there was naturally plenty of attention on how the left-hander would handle one of the most important positions in India’s Test batting order.
He answered that question brilliantly.
Devdutt Padikkal Century Puts India in Control
The Devdutt Padikkal century was easily the biggest positive for India on Day 1.
Padikkal did not just survive against Sri Lanka’s spinners. He looked to score against them.
He used his feet, played the sweep when the opportunity was there and was equally comfortable going back in his crease.
That positive approach stopped the Sri Lankan spinners from settling into a rhythm.
Padikkal reached his fifty from 81 balls before becoming increasingly confident as his innings progressed.
He eventually reached his maiden Test century from 134 deliveries, with nine fours and a six taking him to the milestone.
But Padikkal did not stop after reaching three figures.
By stumps, he had moved to an unbeaten 131 from 178 balls, including 12 fours and one six.
This was not just an important hundred for Padikkal.
It was a serious statement in the debate around India’s number three position.
KL Rahul’s 77 Gives India a Solid Base
While Padikkal was playing positively, KL Rahul took responsibility for holding the innings together from the other end.
Rahul was in no hurry.
He respected the conditions, defended patiently and waited for scoring opportunities.
The Karnataka pair complemented each other extremely well.
Padikkal was the aggressor, while Rahul played the anchor role.
Together, they added 150 runs for the second wicket, taking India to 197/1 by tea. Rahul was unbeaten on 77 from 162 balls at the break, while Padikkal had reached 84 not out.
Rahul’s innings included nine fours and a six.
A century looked there for the taking.
Unfortunately, his body did not allow him to continue.
KL Rahul Retires Hurt After Cramps
Rahul’s fitness became India’s biggest concern on an otherwise excellent opening day.
The opener struggled with cramps and received attention from the medical staff. The problem continued after tea, and Rahul was eventually forced to retire hurt on 77.
He had faced 162 deliveries and spent a long time at the crease in demanding conditions.
For now, the problem has been reported as cramps rather than a confirmed major injury.
India will hope rest, fluids and treatment are enough for Rahul to recover and potentially resume his innings later in the match.
It was an unfortunate way for his innings to be interrupted because he had done all the hard work and looked set for a century.
Shubman Gill Fails to Convert His Start
Rahul’s departure brought captain Shubman Gill to the crease.
Gill had an opportunity to build on the platform created by Rahul and Padikkal, but he could not make his start count.
The Indian captain scored 16 off 28 balls before Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed him with India on 236. Lahiru Udara completed the catch.
It was Sri Lanka’s first proper bowling breakthrough of the day, with Jaiswal’s earlier dismissal coming through a run out.
Gill’s wicket also gave Sri Lanka a small opening late in the day.
But Rishabh Pant quickly closed that door.
Rishabh Pant and Padikkal Finish Day Strongly
Pant joined Padikkal with India at 236/2 and immediately looked comfortable.
As expected, the wicketkeeper-batter was not afraid to play his shots.
At the other end, Padikkal continued to accumulate runs without allowing his concentration to drop after reaching his century.
The pair added an unbeaten 52 runs from 67 balls before bad light ended play.
Pant finished the day unbeaten on 27 from 36 balls, with three fours and one six.
Padikkal was still there on 131.
India finished at 288/2 from 73 overs, with the umpires deciding that the light was not good enough to continue.
Rain Could Not Stop India’s Dominance
The opening day was also affected by rain.
India reached 101/1 at lunch before rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of the second session.
The interruption could easily have broken the concentration of the two batters.
Instead, Rahul and Padikkal returned and continued from where they had left off.
By tea, India had moved to 197/1.
Even after Rahul retired hurt, Padikkal continued to control the innings.
Bad light eventually stopped play after 73 overs, but by then India had already done enough to take complete control of Day 1.
Sri Lankan Bowlers Struggle to Create Chances
Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their bowling performance after getting the opportunity to bowl at India on a Galle surface that was already showing signs of assistance for spin.
Prabath Jayasuriya was the only Sri Lankan bowler to take a wicket, removing Gill for 16. Jaiswal’s dismissal had come through a run out.
Debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha had a particularly difficult day.
He finished Day 1 with figures of 21-0-98-0, with Padikkal and the Indian batters refusing to allow him to settle.
India’s approach against spin was impressive.
They did not simply defend and wait for bad balls. Padikkal, in particular, constantly looked for ways to rotate the strike and put pressure back on the bowlers.
That made Sri Lanka’s job much more difficult.
India Have Opportunity to Post a Huge First-Innings Total
At 288/2, India are now in an excellent position heading into Day 2.
Padikkal will resume on 131, while Pant will start again on 27.
There is also the possibility of Rahul returning to continue his innings if he recovers sufficiently from the cramps.
India still have plenty of batting left, with the middle and lower order yet to come.
The first target should be to cross 400.
From there, India can start thinking about 450 or even 500 if Padikkal, Pant and the remaining batters continue to score runs.
That could be extremely important in Galle, especially with India having picked three spinners for the Test — Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar.
If the pitch continues to become slower and offers more turn as the match progresses, a big first-innings total could put Sri Lanka under enormous pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal Century Makes Day 1 India’s Day
There was very little Sri Lanka could celebrate on the opening day.
Jaiswal’s run out gave them the first wicket. Jayasuriya later removed Gill. Rahul’s cramps also forced one of India’s set batters from the field.
But none of those moments changed the direction of the day.
The Devdutt Padikkal century ensured India remained in control.
His unbeaten 131 was the standout performance, while Rahul’s composed 77 provided the perfect support during their 150-run partnership.
Pant then made sure Sri Lanka could not build any late pressure.
Day 1 score: India 288/2 in 73 overs — Devdutt Padikkal 131, KL Rahul 77 retired hurt, Yashasvi Jaiswal 32, Shubman Gill 16, Rishabh Pant 27.**
India have done the hard work. Now the challenge on Day 2 is to turn this excellent start into a first-innings total that could put them in complete control of the Galle Test.
India ends a dominant Opening Day at 288/2 in 73 overs 🇮🇳💪
Devdutt Padikkal shines with a sensational 131*, backed by solid contributions from KL Rahul (77 retd hurt) and Rishabh Pant (27)* out in the middle 🏏
📷: SonyLiv pic.twitter.com/ZBgXbpurfE
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 15, 2026
