India 101/1 at stumps on rain-affected first day of first Test in Galle (Aug 15-19)

India and Sri Lanka are contesting the first Test at the Galle International Stadium, Galle, between August 15 and 19, and India, having won the toss and elected to bat, were 101 for 1 at the end of the opening session.

The two-match series will conclude with the second Test in Colombo, and carries weight for India’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign; India are currently fifth in the WTC points table and need victories in both Sri Lanka Tests to strengthen their chances of reaching the WTC 2025–27 final. The Indian side also faces upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia, which the source describes as tougher fixtures, making positive results in Sri Lanka important.

At the close of the first session, Yashasvi Jaiswal had been dismissed run out for 32 while KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 32* and 35* respectively as India reached 101 for 1. India’s decision to bat after winning the toss set the tone for the start of their innings.

Weather at Galle was unsettled through the morning, with dark clouds and light thunderstorms reported over the stadium and rain currently affecting the city. Ground staff had covered the playing surface before the rain began, the report notes, after the sun had been shining earlier in the day.

The forecast from Weather.com cited in the report indicated temperatures around 29–30°C for day one and said the rain was expected to clear completely by 2 PM, with sunnier conditions likely to follow and permit the remainder of the day’s play. The report added that the next five days are also expected to see rain, with the potential for multiple interruptions that could influence the match result.

India’s recent record against Sri Lanka is noted in the report: they have won eight and drawn two of their last 10 Tests against Sri Lanka, and the last Sri Lankan Test victory over India occurred at Galle in 2015. The source also states that India cannot afford to settle for a draw if they wish to stay in contention for a top-two finish in the WTC 2025–27 points table.

The second Test is scheduled to be played in Colombo; India must win both matches in Sri Lanka to bolster their bid to finish in the top two of the WTC 2025–27 standings, where they are currently fifth.