Devdutt Padikkal’s Career-Best 167 Puts India in Command Against Sri Lanka

Galle, Aug 2026 : Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal produced a magnificent career-best 167 as India reached 460/9 in 116 overs on a rain-interrupted second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

Persistent rain washed out the entire morning session and delayed the start of play considerably, leaving India with only 43 overs of cricket during the day. Despite the restricted playing time, the visitors added 172 runs to their overnight total and strengthened their position in the Test.

Padikkal’s outstanding innings formed the foundation of India’s imposing total. Displaying tremendous patience and controlled aggression, the left-hander mastered conditions that offered increasing assistance to Sri Lanka’s spinners. His 230-ball knock included 15 fours and one six, and earned him a standing ovation from the crowd and his teammates when he was eventually dismissed.

Resuming at 288/2, India made steady progress during the extended afternoon session, adding 76 runs in 85 minutes. However, Sri Lanka fought back strongly with the second new ball and claimed three important wickets.

Rishabh Pant, who joined Padikkal at the crease, attempted to attack from the outset but fell for 39. Debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha claimed his maiden Test wicket when Pant charged down the pitch to a delivery outside off stump and sliced a high catch towards wide mid-off.

KL Rahul, who had retired hurt on 77 on Saturday because of cramps in his right forearm, returned to the crease and added five more runs. He was eventually dismissed for 82, caught at forward short leg after Nuwantha extracted sharp turn and bounce.

Padikkal continued to dominate and reached his maiden Test score of 150 by flicking Asitha Fernando over mid-on for four. His century-plus performance also placed him among a select group of Indian batters to score 150 or more at No. 3 against Sri Lanka, following Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.

His marathon innings ended when left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya outfoxed him with a flatter, wider delivery as Padikkal advanced down the pitch. Niroshan Dickwella completed the stumping.

Dhruv Jurel then provided India with another valuable contribution, scoring a brisk 51 off 68 balls, including four boundaries and a six. He combined effectively with Manav Suthar as India moved past the 400-run mark.

Suthar contributed 24 and showed attacking intent, pulling Lahiru Kumara into the damp outfield for four before stepping out to Nuwantha and launching the spinner over cow corner for six.

Jurel’s innings ended in spectacular fashion. Attempting to close the face of his bat against Jayasuriya, he produced a leading edge that Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva intercepted with a superb one-handed diving catch at first slip.

Ravindra Jadeja, who had joined Jurel earlier, was dismissed for 13 by Nuwantha, who trapped him leg before wicket with an arm ball that skidded through. The decision survived a review after the umpire’s call favoured the bowler.

India lost several wickets during the final session but continued to score quickly. Mohammed Siraj struck a 79-kph delivery from Nuwantha over long-on for a six before falling to Asitha Fernando after mistiming a slower delivery towards mid-off.

Jayasuriya then claimed his fourth wicket by tempting Suthar down the track, with the batter caught at long-on.

With only 17 deliveries remaining, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna successfully negotiated the Sri Lankan attack to take India to 460/9 at stumps.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers did manage to make regular breakthroughs, with Jayasuriya finishing with 4/109 and debutant Nuwantha taking 3/175. However, India’s substantial first-innings total, built around Padikkal’s exceptional knock and useful contributions from Rahul and Jurel, leaves the visitors firmly in control.

With the Galle pitch beginning to offer greater assistance to spin, India could consider declaring overnight to give their bowlers an opportunity to attack Sri Lanka’s batting under difficult conditions.