By [PCS Rao)/sports.catchynewsworld.com- Cricket News
Team India showcased pure dominance on the opening day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. Young batting sensation Devdutt Padikkal stole the spotlight, crafting a magnificent unbeaten century to put India in a commanding position.
Padikkal’s Historic Performance
Returning to the Test side after nearly two years, Padikkal seized the opportunity with both hands. His innings of 131 off 178 balls*—comprising 12 boundaries and a six—demonstrated exceptional footwork and composure against the Sri Lankan spin attack.
With this century, Padikkal became the first left-handed Indian batter since Sourav Ganguly (2002) to score a Test century while batting at the No. 3 position.
Match Highlights: Day 1
- Toss & Start: Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first.
- India’s Score: At the close of play on Day 1, India reached 288/2 in 73 overs.
- Key Partnerships: After an early run-out of Yashasvi Jaiswal (32), Padikkal and KL Rahul steadied the innings. KL Rahul (77 off * balls) looked in fine form before he was forced to retire hurt due to severe muscle pain.
- Late Wickets: Captain Shubman Gill (16) fell to spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. However, Rishabh Pant (27*) joined Padikkal, stitching together an aggressive unbeaten 52-run partnership before the end of the day.
Play Interrupted by Weather
Persistent rain and fading light forced the umpires to call stumps 17 overs earlier than scheduled. Despite the interruptions, India’s batting lineup remained unfazed, maintaining a healthy run rate throughout the day.
What to Expect on Day 2
Day 2 is set to begin 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled start time as India looks to capitalize on their strong foundation. With Padikkal and Pant well-set at the crease, the visitors will be eyeing a mammoth total of 500+ runs to put immense pressure on the hosts.