India's Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant put India in a commanding position on the first day of the Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. Padikkal's unbeaten 131 and Pant's aggressive 27 not out helped India reach 288/2 by stumps, despite interruptions due to rain and bad light.
Padikkal's innings was a masterclass in composure and timing, as he became the first left-handed batter since Sourav Ganguly in 2002 to score a Test hundred at number three for India. His century came off 134 balls, and he remained not out at the end of the day, having hit 12 fours and a six. Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, took an aggressive stance against the spinners, forging a 52-run partnership with Padikkal.
The day began with India opting to bat first in their 600th Test match. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a solid start, with Rahul retiring hurt on 77 due to cramps. Padikkal then joined Rahul and the two built a strong partnership, taking India to 197/1 by Tea.
Sri Lanka struggled to maintain consistent bowling lines, allowing the Indian batters to capitalize. Despite a short rain interruption, Padikkal and Pant continued to dominate, with Padikkal executing fine sweeps and pulls.
Bad light eventually forced an early end to the day's play, with 17 overs remaining. India will resume their innings on day two, aiming to surpass a total of 500.
Background
This Test match marks India's 600th Test, a significant milestone in their cricketing history. The match is being played in Galle, a venue known for its challenging conditions for batters, making Padikkal's innings even more impressive.
As the Test progresses, all eyes will be on Padikkal and Pant to see if they can extend India's dominance and set a formidable target for Sri Lanka.
