Now Reading: Padikkal century puts India 288/2 against Sri Lanka in Galle
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Padikkal century puts India 288/2 against Sri Lanka in Galle
Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131, his maiden Test century, as India closed the rain-interrupted first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at 288/2 in Galle. Rishabh Pant was unbeaten…
The Story in Brief
Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131, his maiden Test century, as India closed the rain-interrupted first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at 288/2 in Galle. Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 after sharing a 52-run stand with Padikkal. KL Rahul made 77 from 162 balls before retiring hurt with cramps. India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 32 after a run-out and Shubman Gill for 16, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to take regular wickets.
Padikkal, promoted to No. 3 after Sai Sudharsan’s injury, completed his hundred from 134 balls and struck 12 fours and a six. He became the second Indian left-hander this century to make a Test hundred at No. 3, after Sourav Ganguly. Times of India reports that batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Rahul was “fine now” after leaving the field. India will resume with eight wickets in hand.
The Indian Opinion
The easy story is that one century has solved India’s No. 3 problem, while Rahul’s cramps are either a crisis or nothing to worry about. Both claims go too far after one rain-hit day. Padikkal made the most of a clear opportunity, but Sri Lanka’s attack also found little assistance. Rahul’s availability matters more than the speculation. His fitness and India’s score after the first session will offer a better measure of this advantage.
Sources (6): news.abplive.com, deccanherald.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (3), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (4)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 6 sources.
