KL Rahul wants India to build on confidence after 165-run win in Galle
India vice-captain KL Rahul said on August 19, 2026 that India's 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle showed the side had handled the spin challenge and given the team confidence ahead of the second Test. India lead the two-Test series 1-0.
India took control of the contest in Galle to win the opening match of the two-Test tour, and the second Test is scheduled in Colombo from August 23. "I wouldn't say sigh of relief, just happy because every Test match victory is special. Coming back to Sri Lanka after a long time, so, lot of the guys haven't been here and so it's a great start to the tour. I think we ticked most of the boxes that we spoke about before the Test," Rahul said after the match.
India had plenty to prove against spin after recent struggles against New Zealand and South Africa at home, and Rahul noted the team handled Sri Lanka's spinners far better this time. He said that improved handling of spin left India in control for most of the Test.
Rahul underlined that the win should boost morale for upcoming matches and for a major home series next year. "I think this victory will obviously give a sense of happiness and also give us the confidence going into the next game (at Colombo) and also we have a big home series coming up in India next year (vs Australia). "So just understanding batting against spin and playing in spinning conditions is something that we've all been working on. So from that point of view, it gives us a lot of happiness," he said.
The vice-captain described personal preparation he undertook before the tour, including time at a private facility in Mumbai to work on batting against spin. "I think even before the series, how well prepared you are gives you the best chance to do well in any condition, whether it's in India or outside. "Watching some of the games that have been played in Sri Lanka and what phase of the game as a batter do you get runs, what phase of the game do you have to soak in the pressure, when do you have to attack, when do you have to be cautious," he said.
Rahul said those preparation routines bring clarity and calm once a Test begins. "I've always liked doing that and taking those walks is a big part of my preparation. Yes, not always will you get success, but I think that's the bare minimum someone playing at this level can do before coming for a Test series," he added. "I think most of the work is how I've prepared before coming into a Test series and that's something in the last few years I think I've paid a lot of attention to. Whether it's mental make-up or whether it's doing the physical hours and whether it's batting, preparing in a way where the conditions will be suitable to where I'm going. "So, I've done that and worked really hard with my coaches back home and that has given me clarity in the way I want to play, in the way I want to build in innings and how I want to counter certain type of bowlers, how I want to play in seaming conditions or spinning conditions or a good wicket. I carry that calmness," Rahul said.
Rahul also highlighted Devdutt Padikkal's maiden Test century as pivotal to India's first-innings total in Galle. "I think that innings was, I think for me, the defining part of this Test match. The tempo that he batted with and to go on and get a big 100 in the first innings really set up the game for us. The conditions were really hot and it was challenging physically as well," he said. "Someone who I've played a lot of cricket with and seen him grow up and come from Bangalore and play for Karnataka. I was really happy to be there and to see and to witness his first 100. Hopefully, he carries this confidence into the next game and into his best career as well," he added.
India lead the series 1-0 and will face Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo from August 23, with Rahul expecting the confidence gained in Galle to be carried into that match.
