1st Test: Unbeaten Fifties from Padikkal, Rahul Put India in Command at 197/1 Against Sri Lanka

Galle, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Devdutt Padikkal and vice-captain KL Rahul struck unbeaten half-centuries as India dominated Sri Lanka to reach 197/1 at tea on the rain-affected opening day of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

After rain forced an extended lunch break and resulted in 80 minutes of lost playing time, Padikkal and Rahul took control of the session with an unbroken 150-run partnership for the second wicket.

Rahul was unbeaten on 77 from 162 balls, while Padikkal remained not out on 84 off 122 deliveries at the tea interval. The innings marked Padikkal’s return to Test cricket after his previous appearance in the format in November 2024.

Once play resumed, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and pacer Asitha Fernando returned to the attack. Padikkal, who was 35 not out at lunch, quickly increased the scoring rate and reached his second Test half-century from 81 balls in the 37th over, cutting a delivery towards deep backward point for four.

The left-hander continued to find gaps in the field, using his crease well against the spinners. He punched Jayasuriya through extra cover for a boundary before driving Sonal Dinusha through the off-side for another four.

Rahul took a more measured approach but punished deliveries that strayed from the intended line. In the 43rd over, he pushed off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha towards long-on for a single to bring up his 21st Test half-century.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to create sustained pressure on a surface that gradually slowed, despite occasional turn being generated by the spinners.

Padikkal survived a close call in the 47th over when he edged Nuwantha, but the ball fell just short of a diving slip fielder.

Rahul appeared to struggle with fatigue and forearm cramps towards the end of the session and received treatment from the physiotherapist after the 51st over. He quickly regained his composure and struck Nuwantha down the ground for four in the final over before tea.

The boundary took the second-wicket partnership to 150, with 96 runs added during the second session.