KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal receive 'Golden Partnership' after India’s win at Galle

KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal were presented with the 'Golden Partnership' award following India's 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle during India’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka, the honour coming after the match.

The award recognised a pivotal batting partnership that began after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in the first innings, when Rahul and Padikkal steadied the innings and put together a record-breaking second-wicket stand; by the end of Day 1 the pair had added more than 150 runs for that wicket. Padikkal had been included in the XI in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan and went on to make 167 in the first innings, while Rahul contributed 82 in that same innings.

Padikkal finished the Test with 211 runs across both innings and was named Player of the Match for his overall return; Rahul accumulated 117 runs across the two innings. The pair also replicated their opening-innings success in India’s second innings with another partnership worth a half-century.

That second-innings stand made Rahul and Padikkal only the fifth Indian batting pair to record such a feat in Sri Lanka and the first time two Indian batters had achieved it there since 2008. India’s comprehensive win by 165 runs followed these contributions from the two Karnataka players.

Reports said the 'Golden Partnership' award carried a prize of US$1,000. The match summary and the special recognition were shared on social media with the line: "SPECIAL AWARD FOR RAHUL & PADIKKAL 🔥– The Game Changing Partnership in Galle for India. pic.twitter.com/tisLHEJ2Bj"

India are now placed fifth on the World Test Championship points table with a PCT of 53.33 and have eight matches remaining in this WTC cycle as they pursue a place in the final.