Sri Lanka, 16 August (Sports Desk)
India vs Sri Lanka — 1st Test, Day 2 Report
1st Test | Galle International Stadium, Galle | August 16, 2026
🏏 Stumps, Day 2
India — 460/9 (116 overs)
Sri Lanka — Yet to bat
India strengthened their position on a rain-affected second day of the first Test in Galle, reaching 460/9 at stumps. The visitors added 172 runs after resuming at 288/2, although Sri Lanka’s spinners fought back strongly and claimed seven wickets.
Devdutt Padikkal — 167
The biggest highlight of Day 2 was Devdutt Padikkal’s magnificent 167. Resuming on 131*, Padikkal converted his maiden Test century into a career-best score of 167 from 230 balls, hitting 15 fours and one six.
His innings was the backbone of India’s first innings and helped the visitors move well beyond the 400-run mark. Padikkal eventually fell to Prabath Jayasuriya, who had him stumped after the left-hander advanced down the pitch.
KL Rahul — 82
KL Rahul returned to the crease after retiring hurt on Day 1 with cramps. Having been unbeaten on 77 overnight, Rahul added another five runs to finish with a valuable 82.
He was dismissed by debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who found turn and bounce and had Rahul caught at forward short leg.
Rishabh Pant — 39
Rishabh Pant continued from his overnight score of 27 and made 39. He attempted to attack Nuwantha by coming down the track but sliced a catch towards wide mid-off.
The dismissal gave Nuwantha his first Test wicket.
Dhruv Jurel — 51
Dhruv Jurel played an important lower-order innings, scoring a quick 51 from 68 balls, including four fours and one six.
Jurel’s half-century helped India cross 400 and provided crucial runs after Sri Lanka’s spinners had started to make regular breakthroughs. His innings ended when he edged Jayasuriya towards first slip, where Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva took an excellent one-handed diving catch.
Sri Lanka’s Spin Fightback
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make an early impact but came back strongly once the wickets began to fall.
- Prabath Jayasuriya — 4/109
- Keshara Nuwantha — 3/175
Jayasuriya was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets, while debutant Nuwantha claimed three, including the important wickets of Pant and Rahul.
Rain Disrupts Day 2
Rain was once again a major factor in Galle. Persistent showers washed out the entire morning session, and only 43 overs were possible during Day 2.
Despite having limited time, India scored 172 runs, maintaining a scoring rate of almost four runs per over.
India’s Key Scores
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Devdutt Padikkal | 167 |
| KL Rahul | 82 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 51 |
| Rishabh Pant | 39 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 32 |
| Manav Suthar | 24 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 13 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 11 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 12* |
| Prasidh Krishna | 1* |
India: 460/9 in 116 overs
India at Stumps
460/9 (116 overs)
Kuldeep Yadav 12*
Prasidh Krishna 1*
India have only one wicket remaining and are in a commanding position.
watch …..Padikkal’s Maiden Test Century Powers India to Dominant Day 1 in Galle
Day 2 in Numbers
India: 288/2 → 460/9
Runs added: 172
Wickets lost: 7
Overs played: 43
Padikkal: 131* → 167
Rahul: 77* retired hurt → 82
Jurel: 51
Sri Lanka: Yet to bat
What to Expect on Day 3
India’s immediate objective will be to add a few more runs with their final wicket and then put Sri Lanka’s batting lineup under pressure. With 460 already on the board, the visitors have created a substantial first-innings platform.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will need a strong opening partnership and disciplined batting to avoid falling significantly behind. The Galle surface and the increasing role of spin could become important as the Test progresses. Rain, however, remains the biggest uncertainty for the match.
Day 2 Verdict
Devdutt Padikkal’s career-best 167 was the defining performance, while Rahul’s 82 and Jurel’s 51 gave India the support needed to reach 460/9. Sri Lanka’s spinners did manage a strong fightback, but India remain firmly in control after two days.
Current Score: 🇮🇳 India 460/9 (116 overs) vs 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka — Yet to Bat.
