Devdutt Padikkal turned the opening day of India’s historic 600th Test into a personal milestone, completing a maiden Test century as the visitors ended a rain-interrupted day firmly in command at 288 for 2 in Galle.
Padikkal, drafted into the side after Sai Sudharsan’s late withdrawal through injury, carried his excellent form from the warm-up match into the Test, where he had scored an unbeaten 142. By stumps, he was unbeaten on 131 from 178 balls, having struck 12 fours and a six.
It was an innings of maturity and authority from the left-hander, who appeared increasingly comfortable as the day progressed. He initially played the supporting role to KL Rahul, but once the experienced opener retired hurt with cramp, Padikkal took responsibility and accelerated without taking unnecessary risks.
His century came from 134 balls and made him only the fifth Indian batter to score a Test hundred in Galle, following Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara among India’s previous centurions at the venue.
Padikkal’s hundred was the standout moment of a day in which Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to create sustained pressure.
India’s openers had moved smoothly to 47 before Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out in bizarre circumstances. Rahul pushed Keshara Nuwantha towards mid-on and set off for a single, but his dive caused confusion between the two batters. Jaiswal hesitated and was unable to regain his ground before Niroshan Dickwella removed the bails.
The dismissal gave Sri Lanka a wicket without their bowlers having to manufacture it.
Rahul and Padikkal then rebuilt India’s innings, with Rahul making a patient 77 from 162 balls before retiring hurt. His innings contained nine fours and a six.
Sri Lanka finally found a genuine breakthrough when Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed captain Shubman Gill for 16. Gill charged down the wicket attempting to loft the spinner but miscued to mid-off.
For Jayasuriya, who has enjoyed remarkable success at Galle, the wicket came only after 20.5 overs of toil. He finished the day with 1 for 63 from 21 overs.
Asitha Fernando was the most economical of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, conceding only 28 from his 10 overs, but he too struggled to create chances. Lahiru Kumara failed to generate the hostility expected from the fast bowler, while debutant Nuwantha conceded 98 runs from his 21 overs.
By the close, Padikkal remained unbeaten alongside Rishabh Pant, who was 27 not out.
For India, the day belonged overwhelmingly to Padikkal. What began as an opportunity created by an injury became the stage for the 25-year-old to announce himself in Test cricket.
And after two days of preparation in which he showed what he could do, Padikkal now has something considerably more valuable: a maiden Test century at Galle and India firmly in control.
- India: 288/2 in 73 overs
- Devdutt Padikkal: 131 off 178 balls*, 12 fours, 1 six
- KL Rahul: 77 retired hurt off 162 balls, 9 fours, 1 six
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 32 off 37, 5 fours
- Shubman Gill: 16 off 28, 2 fours
- Rishabh Pant: 27 off 36*, 3 fours, 1 six
Sri Lanka bowling
- Prabath Jayasuriya: 24-4-77-1
- Asitha Fernando: 10-1-28-0
- Lahiru Kumara: 10-1-51-0
- Keshara Nuwantha: 21-0-98-0
- Dhananjaya de Silva: 4-0-15-0
- Sonal Dinusha: 4-0-17-0
Fall of wickets: 47 (Jaiswal), 236 (Gill)
