India piled up runs in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, finishing day two at 460/9 in the first innings. The start of play was delayed by around four-and-a-half hours due to rain, and only 43 overs were possible.
Resuming from 288/2, Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant added 71 for the third wicket before Pant was dismissed for 39 by spinner Keshara Nuwantha. KL Rahul, who had retired hurt on 77 on the opening day, returned to the crease but fell for 82 after striking a boundary each off Asitha Fernando and Keshara.
Padikkal continued to dominate, bringing up 150 with a boundary off Asitha and eventually scoring 167 (1 six, 15 fours) before being trapped by Prabath Jayasuriya. Ravindra Jadeja could not convert his start, departing for 13.
Dhruv Jurel then played a responsible knock, hitting a six off Keshara and collecting three boundaries in an over from Lihiru Kumara. He reached his half-century off 66 balls but was out for 51. India’s lower order added useful runs, with Manav Suthar making 24 and Mohammed Siraj 11, while Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten on 12 alongside Prasidh Krishna on 1.
For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya picked up four wickets and Keshara claimed three. The innings also marked a milestone for Padikkal, who became the third Indian to score 150-plus in a Test innings against Sri Lanka while batting at No. 3, after Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.
