Galle, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to Test cricket with a maiden century as India seized control of the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, reaching 288/2 in 73 overs at stumps at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
India, playing their 600th Test, chose to bat after winning the toss. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six, while Rishabh Pant was 27 not out off 36 deliveries when bad light and rain forced an early close.
KL Rahul, who made 77, retired hurt with severe cramps during the final session. Yashasvi Jaiswal had earlier been run out for 32 following a mix-up.
Padikkal’s century was the standout performance of the day. The left-hander, returning to Test cricket for the first time since November 2024, made the most of his opportunity at No. 3, using his footwork and the depth of the crease effectively against Sri Lanka’s spinners.
His hundred came from 134 balls, making him the first Indian left-hander since Sourav Ganguly in 2002 to score a Test century at No. 3. The position has remained unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara vacated it in June 2023, with 11 batters tried across 20 Tests without managing a century.
Padikkal had entered the match in confidence after an unbeaten 142 in the warm-up game. He reached his fifty from 81 balls and accelerated thereafter, particularly against the spinners.
Rahul provided solid support before cramps forced him to leave the field. He reached his 21st Test half-century in the 43rd over and shared a 150-run second-wicket partnership with Padikkal, with 96 runs coming during the second session.
The opening stand ended in unusual fashion at 47. Rahul’s drive off debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha went towards mid-on, but Jaiswal collided with the bowler while attempting a run. He subsequently turned back, leaving both batters at the same end, with Rahul grounding his bat first before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella removed the bails.
Nuwantha’s introduction had also produced an early scare when short-leg fielder Nishan Madushka was struck on the helmet by a powerful Rahul pull and left the field for medical assessment.
After Jaiswal’s dismissal, Padikkal immediately took on the spinners, hitting Nuwantha for four before launching Prabath Jayasuriya over long-on for six. Rahul also attacked Jayasuriya, lofting him for a straight six and later cutting for four.
Rain interrupted play for 80 minutes around lunch, but India resumed with Padikkal continuing to control the scoring. Sri Lanka occasionally extracted turn from the surface but struggled for consistency in line and length.
Rahul eventually retired hurt, leaving Padikkal to continue alongside Shubman Gill. Padikkal reached his century in the 57th over, but Sri Lanka soon claimed their second wicket when Jayasuriya dismissed Gill for 16.
Pant then joined Padikkal and quickly adopted an attacking approach. He struck Jayasuriya for six and four before hitting Nuwantha for two more boundaries. Their unbeaten 52-run partnership helped India maintain the momentum despite brief rain interruptions.
Padikkal remained composed through the closing stages, finding boundaries with the sweep and pull before bad light brought an early end to proceedings with 17 overs still scheduled.
India will resume on Sunday at 9:45 am local time, with the visitors well placed to build a substantial first-innings total.
Brief scores: India 288/2 in 73 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 131 not out, KL Rahul 77 retired hurt; Prabath Jayasuriya 1/77) vs Sri Lanka.
FOLLOW NOW
