Rain delays Day 2 after Padikkal’s unbeaten 131 for India

Heavy rain delayed the start of Day 2 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle. Play was scheduled to begin early to make up for overs lost on Day 1, but persistent showers kept the ground under covers. The BCCI said it would provide updates.

On Day 1, Devdutt Padikkal hit an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls in his maiden Test century, steering India to 288 for 2 in their landmark 600th Test. He became the first left-handed batter since Sourav Ganguly in 2002 to score a Test hundred at number three for India. Vice-captain KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 due to cramps, while skipper Shubman Gill made 16.

Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 alongside Padikkal, and the pair added 52 runs for the third wicket. Sri Lanka bowled inconsistently, and forecasts offered little optimism for early play on Day 2.