The highlight of the first day of this match was India’s young and talented batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who wowed everyone with his brilliant batting and scored an unbeaten 131.
Sri Lanka Tour 2026 | First Test – Day 1
The Indian cricket team made a smashing start in the first match of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. On the very first day of this first Test match being played at the historic Galle International Cricket Stadium, Indian batsmen totally dominated the host team’s bowlers. By the end of the day’s play, India had scored 288 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets, putting themselves in a very strong position in the match.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss
The pitch in Galle is usually considered helpful for spin bowlers, but in the first two days of the match it’s quite friendly for batting. Keeping this in mind, the Indian captain made the smart call to bat first after winning the toss.
India got off to a pretty fast start. Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal played aggressively, but he got out after scoring 32 runs off 37 balls. After the first wicket fell at 45, Devdutt Padikkal came to the crease and completely changed the game’s momentum.
Devdutt Padikkal’s memorable century (131* runs)
Batting at number 3, Devdatt Padikkal played very cautiously and with a clear strategy from the start. The Sri Lankan spinners tried to put pressure with line and length on their home pitch, but Padikkal thwarted every delivery with his excellent footwork.
During his unbeaten 131-run innings, Pandikal:
Total balls: 178
Fouls: 12
Sixes: 1
Strike rate: 73.60
Their batting was a fantastic mix of patience and confidence. They played brilliant shots all over the ground and didn’t give the Sri Lankan bowlers any chance.
Important partnership with K.L. Rahul
Padikkal was on one side and experienced batsman KL Rahul supported him from the other end. Both batsmen put on a huge partnership of over 150 runs for the second wicket, giving Sri Lanka no chance to get back in the match.
KL Rahul: 77 runs off 162 balls (9 fours, 1 six)
Rahul played with a very calm head, holding one end steady, which gave Padikkal complete freedom to play his shots from the other side. However, Rahul was moving towards his hundred but got caught off a spinner’s delivery in the last session of the day.
Rishabh Pant’s aggressive start
After Rahul got out, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant came onto the field. Pant immediately started playing in his natural style and remained at the crease with Padikal till the end of the day’s play, scoring 27 runs off 36 balls.
Analysis of Devdatt Padikkal’s career and form
Devdutt Padikkal has made the most of the opportunity he got for the Indian team. Batting at number 3, the way he faced the Sri Lankan spinners with patience and confidence is being praised from all sides. On Galle’s turning pitch, his footwork and shot selection against the spinners were amazing.
With this century, Padikkal not only put Team India in a strong position on the first day but also strengthened his claim in the Test team. His 150+ run partnership with K.L. Rahul played a key role in turning the match around.
Match preview and analysis
After the first day of the match, the Indian team looks to be in a pretty strong position. On the Galle pitch, a first-innings score of 400 to 450 runs is considered enough to win the match. India still has 8 wickets in hand, with Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant at the crease.
On the second day, India will try to score runs quickly to put huge pressure on Sri Lanka, so that on the third and fourth days, when the pitch starts turning more, the Indian spinners can make full use of it.
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