India versus Sri Lanka live score: On his first Test appearance since November 2024, Devdutt Padikkal scored his first Test century as India took control against Sri Lanka. They reached 288 for 2 in 73 overs at stumps after poor light and rain ended play early on the opening day of the first Test at Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
India made a strong start after electing to bat. After winning the toss and choosing to bat in their 600th Test, India received a solid opening from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 32, and vice-captain KL Rahul, who retired hurt on 77 in the final session due to cramps.
Padikkal appeared set for a substantial score, striking the ball cleanly, particularly off the back foot. He used the crease effectively, showed good footwork, and ran hard between the wickets to remain not out on 131 from 178 balls, including 12 fours and one six.
With Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 27 from 36 balls, Padikkal and India are well placed for a large first-innings total. Sri Lanka struggled to maintain consistent lines and lengths.
Resuming after Rahul retired hurt, Padikkal accelerated with captain Shubman Gill. He hit consecutive boundaries off Lahiru Kumara before driving Keshara Nuwantha to mid-off in the 57th over to reach his century in 134 balls.
Padikkal became the first left-handed batter since Sourav Ganguly in 2002 to score a Test hundred at number three for India. It was also the first century by an Indian at that position since Gill scored one against Bangladesh in Chennai in September 2024.
Sri Lanka took their only wicket of the session when Prabath Jayasuriya had Gill caught at mid-off for 16 after the batter advanced down the pitch.
Pant attacked the spinners, hitting Jayasuriya for six and a four, then adding two more boundaries off Nuwantha in an unbroken 52-run stand with Padikkal. A 20-minute rain break interrupted play, but the batters punished Sri Lanka’s inconsistent bowling upon resumption. Padikkal finished unbeaten on 131 from 178 balls.
