IND vs SL 1st Test, Day 2: Padikkal Falls Six Short of a Double Ton as India Reach 460/9 in Rain-Hit Galle
Day 2 in Galle started with rain keeping everyone waiting and ended with India firmly in the driver’s seat, even if the day itself never quite settled into a rhythm. Devdutt Padikkal, who’d walked off unbeaten on 131 the previous evening, batted on into fresh record-breaking territory before falling agonisingly short of what would have been a maiden double century. By the time bad light and the umpires called a halt, India had piled up 460 for 9 in 116 overs — a total that already looks well beyond what Sri Lanka’s attack can chase down comfortably.
It wasn’t the cleanest day of Test cricket, in truth. Persistent rain delayed the start, more showers interrupted play through the middle of the day, and India lost wickets in clusters rather than in the smooth, controlled fashion of Day 1. But none of that will matter much once the scorecard is all anyone remembers — this remains a genuinely dominant position for the visitors heading into Day 3.
Padikkal’s Special Innings Comes to an End
Padikkal resumed the day exactly where he’d left off — calm, watchful, and clearly enjoying himself at the crease. He carried on well past his overnight century, moving into territory few Indian batters get to at this position, before eventually being stumped off Prabath Jayasuriya for 167, made off 230 balls with 15 fours and a six. Missing out on 200 by such a narrow margin will sting a little, but for a player who wasn’t even a certainty to make this XI before Sai Sudharsan’s injury opened the door, it’s hard to imagine a more emphatic way of grabbing an opportunity.
His stay at the crease also produced a small piece of history along the way — Padikkal’s century on Day 1 had already made him only the second Indian batter to score a Test hundred on Independence Day, a detail that added extra shine to an innings that was already turning into the story of the match.
Rahul Falls Just Short Too
KL Rahul’s day had its own strange arc. Having retired hurt on 77 the previous evening with severe cramps, he walked back out to resume his innings on Day 2 and looked to have recovered well enough to keep building. He couldn’t quite get all the way to three figures, though, eventually departing for 82 — a slightly frustrating end to an innings that had done so much of the early heavy lifting for India on Day 1.
Pant Falls Cheaply, Jurel Steps Up
Rishabh Pant’s stay didn’t last long once play resumed properly. He tried to take the aggressive route against Keshara Nuwantha, advancing down the pitch for an airy drive, but only managed an edge that was snapped up comfortably by a Sri Lankan fielder in the covers. It was a rare loose moment in an otherwise disciplined Indian batting display, and it brought India to 364 for 5 at the tea interval — still a strong position, but with the tail now a little closer than the top order would have liked.
That’s where Dhruv Jurel made his mark. Coming in with the platform already laid but needing support to keep the innings moving, Jurel played a composed 51 before he was eventually undone by a genuinely outstanding piece of fielding — a stunning catch from Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, that cut short a partnership that had been quietly rebuilding momentum for India. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in before also departing, and by the time the innings wound down to 460 for 9, Kuldeep Yadav (12*) and Prasidh Krishna (1*) were the two left unbeaten at the crease.
Day 2 Scorecard Snapshot
- India: 460/9 in 116 overs
- Devdutt Padikkal: 167 (230 balls) — stumped off Prabath Jayasuriya
- KL Rahul: 82
- Dhruv Jurel: 51 — caught off a brilliant catch by Dhananjaya de Silva
- Kuldeep Yadav: 12* at stumps
- Prasidh Krishna: 1* at stumps
- Sri Lanka bowling: Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Keshara Nuwantha 3/175
Jayasuriya Does the Heavy Lifting for Sri Lanka
If there’s a silver lining for Sri Lanka from an otherwise tough couple of days, it’s the way Prabath Jayasuriya has stuck to his task. He finished the day with 4 for 109 from a long, patient spell, accounting for both of India’s big centurion-class wickets — Padikkal and, on Day 1, Shubman Gill. Keshara Nuwantha, playing his first Test, also picked up three wickets despite an expensive day with the ball, and will take some encouragement from getting among the wickets even on a surface that’s so far offered India’s batters far more than it has the home bowlers.
Where the Match Stands
With India now 9 down and closing in on the tail, Sri Lanka will be desperate to wrap up the innings early on Day 3 and avoid facing an even bigger deficit. A total in the 460–480 range on a Galle surface that’s expected to deteriorate and offer more turn as the match progresses is a genuinely imposing position for India to bowl from, especially with their own spin options — Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar — waiting for their turn with the ball.
What’s Next
Day 3 begins with India’s last wicket, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, looking to add whatever late runs they can before Sri Lanka gets a chance to bat. After that, all attention shifts to how the home side’s top order copes with an Indian attack that will fancy its chances on a pitch already showing signs of wear — and to whether Sri Lanka can avoid the follow-on given the size of the total they’re now chasing down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was India’s score at the end of Day 2?
India finished Day 2 on 460 for 9 in 116 overs.
How did Devdutt Padikkal get out, and for how many runs?
Padikkal was stumped off Prabath Jayasuriya for 167, falling just six runs short of a maiden Test double century.
Did KL Rahul complete his century after retiring hurt?
No. Rahul resumed his innings on Day 2 after retiring hurt with cramps on Day 1, but was dismissed for 82, just short of a century.
Who else scored well for India on Day 2?
Dhruv Jurel made a composed 51 before being dismissed by a brilliant catch from Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
Which Sri Lankan bowler was the most successful on Day 2?
Prabath Jayasuriya, who finished with figures of 4 for 109, including the big wicket of Padikkal.
Why was play affected on Day 2?
Persistent rain delayed the start of play and interrupted the session through the day, a recurring theme expected to affect multiple days of this Test in Galle.
