Shamik Chakrabarty, Galle
The Perth pitch was treacherous and Devdutt Padikkal looked like a fish out of water. Innings like that can break careers, and his 23-ball duck in the first innings of the first Test against Australia in 2024-25 was a low point in his career. He fared better in the second innings, scoring 25 off 71 balls. But as Rohit Sharma returned for the next Test, the left-hand batter was dropped.
He didn’t get an opportunity to play Test cricket for the next 20 months and finally got a game here in Galle because Sai Sudharsan was injured. The start was a tad nervy, but Padikkal got a few deliveries on the pads and capitalised on them to make a brisk start. Soon, he outscored KL Rahul and reached his half-century. The 26-year-old had a very good last season in domestic cricket across formats. He has carried that form into Test cricket.
The second session of the first Test was extended due to a rain stoppage. Rahul was batting at his own pace at the other end. Padikkal ensured that the scoreboard didn’t go into a slumber like the Galle pitch.
At tea, India were 197/1 after 53 overs, with Padikkal batting on 84 off 122 balls and Rahul on 77 off 162 deliveries. Together, they had added 150 runs for the second wicket in 252 balls and 171 minutes. Sri Lanka had already used six bowlers, but no one had yet made a mark. After the Perth Test, Padikkal deserved an opportunity in batting-friendly conditions. Welcome back.
Tea score: India 197/1 (Devdutt Padikkal 84 batting, KL Rahul 77 batting) vs Sri Lanka
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