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Padikkal's maiden century leads India on Day 1
ESPNcricinfo··16 Aug
Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131 on his return to the India Test side, ending India's 20-innings wait for a century from the number three position on the rain-curtailed opening day in Galle. India closed on 288 for 2 in 73 overs, with KL Rahul retiring hurt on 77 and Yashasvi Jaiswal run out for 32.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you follow Indian cricket, Padikkal's century on his comeback strengthens the middle-order after a long wait for runs from that batting position.
- Sri Lanka's spinners found turn even early in the innings, a warning sign for how the pitch may behave later in the match.
- Fans tracking the series can note Rahul's forearm cramp as a fitness detail to watch heading into the remaining days of the Test.
What's Happening
- Padikkal made an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls, ending a 20-innings drought for India's number three batting position.
- India reached 288 for 2 in 73 overs on a day shortened by two rain breaks, with Rahul unbeaten on 77 before retiring hurt.
- Jaiswal was run out for 32, and debutant spinner Keshara Nuwantha drew the most false shots despite conceding 98 runs in 21 overs.
Sri Lanka's Struggles at Home Continue
- Sri Lanka have lost each of their last five home Tests against India, a run this match's early conditions suggested could continue.
- Spin found appreciable turn even in the first two sessions, raising the prospect of a more traditional Galle turner developing late in the match.
- Padikkal's previous Test outing ended with scores of a 23-ball duck and a 71-ball 25 on a treacherous Perth pitch two years ago.
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