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.
With Jurel for company, Padikkal (167, 230b, 15×4, 1×6) was busy shifting gears when he got stumped off Prabath. Ravindra Jadeja strode in and he too preferred flamboyance over dogged resistance. Even as he departed, Jurel extended India’s quest for a 400-plus score. He hoisted Nuwantha for six.
There is a calm air that Jurel always exudes, and he became the lower-order spine. Along with Manav Suthar, he hustled the runs. It needed a sharp catch from Dhananjaya stationed at first slip for Jurel (51, 68b, 4×4, 1×6) to depart after he prodded at Prabath. Mohammed Siraj jauntily walked in, hit a six, played and missed, and even as the tail wobbled, India would like to believe that it has enough to dominate this opening fixture.
Earlier, persistent rains washed away the first session. The persevering ground-staff did their best but with dark clouds often rolling in, they had a daunting task of keeping the turf dry. Like the ‘Myth of Sisyphus’, their effort seemed akin to rolling a boulder uphill.
Coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stepped out and inspected the outfield. Bowling coach Morne Morkel bonded with fellow South African and current Sri Lankan coach Gary Kirsten. And finally when play was about to resume, another wet spell forced the players to hurry back to the pavilion.
Thankfully, the sun enforced its will and the game commenced at 2.35 p.m., and it was India’s turn to press forward in a contest that is bound to be held hostage by brooding skies. There is a forecast for more rains in the coming days and every session will be crucial.
The scores
India (1st innings): Yashasvi Jaiswal (run out) 32 (37b, 5×4), K.L. Rahul c Nishan b Nuwantha 82 (175b, 10×4, 1×6), Devdutt Padikkal st Dickwella b Prabath 167 (230b, 15×4, 1×6), Shubman Gill c Udara b Jayasuriya 16 (28b, 2×4), Rishabh Pant c Dinusha b Nuwantha 39 (62b, 4×4, 1×6), Dhruv Jurel c Dhananjaya b Prabath 51 (68b, 4×4, 1×6), Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Nuwantha 13 (25b, 1×4), Manav Suthar c Udara b Prabath 24 (43b, 2×4), Mohammed Siraj c Dhananjaya b Asitha 11 (15b, 1×6), Kuldeep Yadav (batting) 12 (13b, 2×4), Prasidh Krishna (batting) 1 (4b). Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-4, w-1): 12; Total (for nine wkts in 116 overs): 460.
Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Jaiswal, 10.6 overs), 2-236 (Gill, 61.5), 3-307 (Pant, 80.4), 4-319 (Rahul, 84.1), 5-357 (Padikkal, 91.3), 6-377 (Jadeja, 98.1), 7-432 (Jurel, 109.1), 8-447 (Siraj, 112.6), 9-447 (Suthar, 113.1).
Sri Lanka bowling: Asitha 17-1-61-1, Kumara 13-1-76-0, Nuwantha 39-1-175-3, Prabath 39-6-109-4, Dhananjaya 4-0-15-0, Dinusha 4-0-17-0.
Published – August 16, 2026 07:03 pm IST
