Galle: Rain disrupted the second day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka, with play unable to start from the beginning of the day. The players have already taken the lunch break, but the match remains suspended due to light rain and bad light, while the pitch and outfield have also been deemed unfit for play.
ㅤ
At the end of Saturday’s opening day, India’s first-innings score stood at 288 for two. Devdutt Padikkal was unbeaten on 131, while Rishabh Pant was batting on 27.
ㅤ
On Saturday, Devdutt Padikkal (131 not out, 178 balls, one six, 12 fours) was the superhero of the opening day of the series, which was also India’s 80th Independence Day. He scored his maiden international century to give India a strong grip right at the start of the series.
Padikkal has scored nine centuries in first-class cricket and one in the IPL, but this was the first time he reached the 100-run mark in an international match for India. Sai Sudharsan is missing the series due to a toe injury, giving Padikkal an opportunity, and he made full use of it. It was the first time in 20 Tests that an Indian No. 3 batter had scored a Test century. Padikkal reached his half-century off the 81st ball and completed his century off the 134th ball.
ㅤ
Rain had been forecast to cause trouble on Saturday, and the prediction came true. The match was interrupted twice due to rain, and only 73 overs could be bowled during the day instead of the scheduled 90. Sri Lanka’s spinners failed to get the kind of assistance they wanted from the Galle pitch on the opening day, allowing the Indian batters to dominate. Of the hosts’ six bowlers, only spinner Prabath Jayasuriya managed to take a wicket, conceding 77 runs. The other spinner, Keshara Nuwantha, was the most expensive bowler, conceding 98 runs without taking a wicket.
Devdutt Padikkal had last played two Tests back in 2024. Those two Tests were against England and Australia respectively. On Saturday, he rescued India from trouble twice. Rishabh Pant was batting alongside him on 27. Pant scored his runs off 36 balls, hitting one six and three fours. Vice-captain KL Rahul (77 retired hurt, 162 balls, one six, nine fours) also made a valuable contribution to India’s total of 288. He and Padikkal added 150 runs together.
ㅤ
India made a modest start after opting to bat, but opener Yashasvi Jaiswal lost his wicket in bizarre circumstances when India were on 47 in the 11th over. Jaiswal scored 32 off 37 balls, including five fours. The opening partnership between Jaiswal and KL Rahul was gradually becoming stronger when Jaiswal was run out off the final ball of the 11th over.
ㅤ
Rahul’s shot sent the ball towards mid-on, to the bowler’s right. Rahul started running but then hesitated slightly. Jaiswal also set off from the other end, but he lost his balance after colliding with the bowler, who had dived to stop the ball. Within moments, both batters ended up at the non-striker’s end. Prabath Jayasuriya collected the ball and threw it towards wicketkeeper Dickwella, who fumbled slightly before dislodging the bails. Unfortunately, Jaiswal had to walk back to the pavilion. Rahul subsequently retired hurt, while captain Shubman Gill lost his wicket for 16.
ALSO READ: Padikkal Hits Century, Jadeja Scores Fifty And Brar Smashes Four Sixes In Five Balls!