Diversity is innate to K.L. Rahul. For someone who can speak Kannada, Tulu, Hindi and English with equal felicity, the switch between cricket’s different formats or the fact that he is a link between the eras of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, comes easy.

Trying to downplay his mentor’s role within the Indian unit, the vice-captain said: “It’s everybody’s responsibility to help your fellow team-mates and the dressing room here is always open. There is no ego here, and there is no shame in asking questions.”

Reacting to India’s victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, Rahul told the media: “We ticked most of the boxes and this will give us confidence going into the next game and we also have a big home series (against Australia) coming up next year. So just understanding batting against spin in spinning conditions is something that we have been working on.”

Enthused by the performance of his Karnataka team-mate Devdutt Padikkal, Rahul said: “The way he batted, the tempo that he batted with and to go on and get a big 100 in the first innings really set up the game for us. The conditions were really hot and challenging. For him to get through that, get a 100, make it big and stitch partnerships, that set up this Test for us. He is someone I have played a lot of cricket with.”

About Manav Suthar, Rahul added: “He is very consistent and hopefully he will keep getting better.” And referencing his own career, Rahul revealed that he has a certain awareness about his game: “I carry calmness into every Test. Having played 60 odd Tests, there is a sense of balance and calmness now when I walk into a Test.” In a relatively young unit, Rahul’s zen-state is a bonus.

Hopping across the Palk Strait, Devdutt Padikkal has found his groove. In the warm-up fixture in Colombo, he cracked an unbeaten 142, and once he moved to Sri Lanka’s southern coast, a splendid maiden Test hundred was essayed. “I am so happy for him. He was waiting for this opportunity and the way he played was really encouraging,” India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said.

Talking to the media after the conclusion of the first Test’s opening day in Galle on Saturday (August 16, 2026), Kotak offered his appraisal of Padikkal: “When I was at the NCA, he was working on his initial movement; he also worked on his back foot game. When we expect there will be turn, we try and work on stepping-out, sweep or back-foot game. A lot of credit goes to him.”

Asked specifically if Padikkal’s ton has erased India’s worries over the number three slot, Kotak said: “He batted well; Sai (Sudarshan) too has batted well at that number. But the thing is, they are all new batters. We are flexible in a way. Mainly, I would look at the way they bat, about how they are adapting to conditions, how they are dealing with the different stages. How they bat is important to me more than the number they bat at.”

Kotak termed the pitch as dry and explained: “When we saw the wicket, we felt that it is on the drier side. And there is no doubt that it is on the drier side. 288 for two is a good sign for us but it is just one day and we have a long way to go. I don’t think it will crack but I think it will spin more as the game progresses. The overall record shows that as the game progresses (at Galle), the average return of the batters goes down noticeably.”

K.L. Rahul’s adaptability was also lauded and Kotak said: “In Tests he opens, in limited overs cricket he comes in at five or six. He is flexible that way and in a young team when a senior like him plays well, it always helps. He takes responsibility, builds partnerships and is consistent.”

And as for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run out, Kotak clarified: “It is just that KL stopped halfway. Jaiswal got up and took one step. And that’s why probably that misunderstanding happened. But these things happen and it is unfortunate.”