A leap in the air, a clenching of fists, a mild fumble to remove the helmet, and then Devdutt Padikkal raised his bat. India’s number three batter—he was handed the slot after an injury benched B. Sai Sudharsan—had his moment under the sun at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
Padikkal’s maiden Test century (131 batting) and his earlier unfinished 150-run second-wicket partnership with Karnataka mate K.L. Rahul helped India post 288 for two in the first innings against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the first Test. At close, an aggressive Rishabh Pant gave company to Padikkal.
Through a day that wavered between the sun’s oppressive heat and dark clouds bequeathing rains, the one consistent factor was the poise and panache that Padikkal revealed. Walking in after an unfortunate mix-up caused Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run out, Padikkal remained positive and helped Rahul get over his guilt trip. The two forged an alliance with the ease of two Bengaluru lads tucking into apple-crumble and cream at Corner House back home.
A six off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya whetted Padikkal’s appetite, and the shot found an echo off Rahul’s bat too. Padikkal then whipped debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha past the ropes, and India had a lunch score of 101 for one. As if on cue, the skies opened up and the players were forced to stay indoors till 2 p.m.
In the afternoon session, Padikkal and then Rahul got to their respective fifties. The host spinners at times erred with their line and length, and if southpaw Padikkal was quick to cut, Rahul preferred the slow violence of dabs and glides, and India moved to 197 for one at tea. The latter, though, suffered cramps, and in the last session, he had to retire hurt on 77.
Skipper Shubman Gill soon essayed cover-drives of the highest beauty but perished while playing against the turn to Jayasuriya. A sudden burst of rain paused the game again, and when play resumed, Padikkal was around to offer assurance.
Earlier in the morning, under bright skies, Gill won the toss and elected to bat. The decision found immediate validation through the manner in which openers Rahul and Jaiswal batted. Rahul bided his time, and Jaiswal was alert to scoring opportunities. In the very first over bowled by Asitha Fernando, Jaiswal whipped a four.
From the other end under the ramparts of the Dutch fort, Lahiru Kumara tried to bounce Rahul, and the latter pulled a four. Jaiswal drove on either side against Kumara, and as the openers coasted, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva employed spin after eight overs. And then against the run of play, a run out stymied the Indians.
Rahul punched Nuwantha down the ground and instinctively set off for a single. A hesitant Jaiswal got entangled with the bowler, and by then the throw was in, and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella dislodged the bails. A worried Rahul slowed down a bit before Padikkal’s flair seeped into the senior partner, and Indian cricket breathed easy on Independence Day.
Published on Aug 15, 2026
