India lead after Day 2 at Galle as rain threatens early start to Day 3
India and Sri Lanka head into Day 3 of the first Test at Galle with rain in the forecast and India in command after reaching 460 for nine at stumps on Day 2; an early start for Day 3 is scheduled for 4.15 am GMT (9.45 am IST) to try to make up lost time. Play on Day 2 was heavily affected by weather, with only 43 overs possible and a near five-hour delay before action began.
The visitors resumed on 288 for two but lost seven wickets for 172 runs as Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly their spinners, tightened the contest. Devdutt Padikkal compiled the innings’ centrepiece, finishing on 167 before Prabath Jayasuriya took the wicket at the stroke of tea; Dhruv Jurel contributed 51 and Manav Suthar added 24 in useful lower-order support. Kuldeep Yadav was unbeaten on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on one at stumps as India reached 460/9.
Devdutt Padikkal carried on from 131 on Day 2 to reach his maiden 150 in 215 balls and ultimately 167, a knock described in the report as his maiden Test century-plus score; he was dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya just before the tea interval. Padikkal spoke afterwards about having worked over the last two years to be ready when opportunities arrived, saying he had dreamt of this moment and stressing clarity in plans and footwork against spin.
Dhruv Jurel’s 51 was his first fifty in eight innings and came after a reprieve when Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva put down a thick edge off Prabath Jayasuriya when Jurel was on 29; Jurel and Manav Suthar added 55 for the seventh wicket before Jurel was finally caught at slip by de Silva off Jayasuriya. Manav Suthar’s 24 and some heavy blows from Mohammad Siraj provided further late contributions for India.
Sri Lanka’s bowling improved markedly after the rain delay, with spinners in particular cutting down scoring areas and earning rewards once the second new ball was taken. Keshara Nuwantha, described in the report as an impressive debutant, dismissed Rishabh Pant for 39 and KL Rahul for 81 and then trapped Ravindra Jadeja leg before; Prabath Jayasuriya also played a major role, removing Padikkal and Jurel and finishing the day with a four-wicket haul.
The penultimate session saw regular breakthroughs for the hosts as they refused to let India run away with the game despite the visitors adding 172 runs while Sri Lanka picked up seven wickets on Day 2. Specific late dismissals included Mohammed Siraj, who was caught at mid off off Asitha Fernando, and Manav Suthar, who was caught at long on off Prabath Jayasuriya; the report also notes drizzle arrived as the day finished.
Padikkal reflected on his innings, saying he had worked on plans to counter spin and on maintaining focus after reaching a hundred, and adding that he would rest rather than celebrate immediately. With rain still forecast to affect the remaining days, Day 3 will begin early at 4.15 am GMT (9.45 am IST) to attempt to recover lost overs and time.
