SL vs IND: Devdutt Padikkal's maiden century headlines India's dominating Day 1 in Galle

India finished Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in a dominating position, riding on a scintillating maiden Test century by Devdutt Padikkal. The 26-year-old scored an unbeaten 131, laced with 12 fours and a six, as India reached 288/2 at stumps with Padikkal and Rishabh Pant (27*) at the crease.

Prabath Jayasuriya (1/77) was the only Sri Lankan bowler amongst the wickets as he got India captain Shubman Gill (16) holed out to mid-off. Earlier, India skipper won the toss and opted to bat first, and the team got off to a good start.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (32 off 37) was dealing in boundaries, while KL Rahul was playing second fiddle to the left-handed opener. The duo brought up a 47-run stand, scoring at over four runs per over, signalling ominous signs for Sri Lanka.

However, much to Jaiswal’s misfortune, he ended up slipping at the non-striker’s end while responding to a quick single call from KL Rahul and got run out for 32. Jaiswal’s dismissal brought Padikkal to the crease, and he, along with Rahul, batted through the first session as India went into lunch on 101/1.

After a delayed start to the second session due to rain, Padikkal and Rahul continued from where they left off, bringing up their respective half-centuries. While Rahul was watchful at the crease, Padikkal was at his free-flowing best, moving ahead in his innings at a canter.

The duo got involved in a massive 150-run partnership for the second wicket and looked unstoppable at the crease, stamping their authority on a listless Sri Lankan attack. Courtesy of their long union at the crease, India finished the second session unscathed on 197/1.

Rahul retires hurt on 77

While Rahul looked all set to complete his century, he couldn’t continue his innings in the third session due to cramps and retired hurt on 77, which brought Shubman Gill to the crease. However, Padikkal continued from where he left off and brought up his maiden Test century in the third session, becoming the first Indian to score a hundred at number three since September 2024.

Padikkal was fresh from scoring an unbeaten 142* against SLC XI in the warm-up match and continued his remarkable form in the series. Meanwhile, following Gill’s dismissal, Rishabh Pant arrived at the crease late on Day 1. The southpaw came out playing his shots, putting a tired Sri Lankan attack to the sword, smashing three sixes and a four to move to 27* (36) as India finished the day on top.