Padikkal hits 131 as India dominate day one against Sri Lanka

Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century, remaining unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, as India reached 288 for two at stumps on the opening day of the first Test in Galle on Saturday. The left-hander became the first Indian batter since Sourav Ganguly in 2002 to hit a Test hundred at number three, capitalising on an injury-enforced chance after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out, the Times of India reports.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first in their 600th Test, India got a fluent start from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (32) and KL Rahul, who retired hurt on 77 due to cramps. Captain Shubman Gill made 16 before falling to spinner Prabath Jayasuriya shortly after Padikkal reached his hundred. Rishabh Pant then counter-attacked, hitting a six and multiple fours to remain 27 not out in an unbroken 52-run stand for the third wicket.

Sri Lanka's bowling lacked consistency in line and length, and a 20-minute rain interruption did little to break India's momentum. Padikkal, who showed sharp footwork and executed sweeps and pulls with authority, will resume on day two eyeing a double century, with Pant for company.