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India's Devdutt Padikkal, right, being greeted by Ravindra Jadeja as he returns to the pavilion after his dismissal on day two of the first Test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Galle, Sri Lanka, on August 16, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Sunday was largely about waiting for the sun. Fringed by the Indian Ocean and lashed by monsoon winds, Galle woke up to the pitter-patter of rains and birdsong. Umbrellas were out, puddles were the norm and the moist climate had a distinct bearing on the first Test as play resumed well after the lunch break.
Undeterred by the damp skies, India pursued its ambition of posting a healthy first-innings total against Sri Lanka. The goal was achieved with Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel lending a hand at varying points. And at close of the second day here at the Galle International Stadium, Shubman Gill’s men scored 460 for nine in 116 overs.
Conscious about inclement weather making further intrusions into the remainder of the Test, and resuming at the overnight 288 for two, India sought urgent runs. Centurion Padikkal continued unhindered while Rishabh Pant lashed left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for four.
The host skipper Dhananjaya de Silva quickly sought the new ball and employed pace and spin in tandem. Pant miscued a hoick off Keshara Nuwantha, and K.L. Rahul returned to the crease. Rahul, however, had a brief tenure and succumbed to Nuwantha for 82 (175b, 10×4, 1×6) as the debutant off-spinner found turn and appreciable bounce. At the other end Padikkal went past 150 with a whipped four off seamer Asitha Fernando.