The first match of the two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium witnessed a dramatic fourth day as the Indian team was bowled out for 193 in their second innings. Left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal put up an exceptional batting display, following up his magnificent 167-run century in the first innings with a gritty 44-run knock in the second. With a match aggregate of 211 runs, Padikkal reached a notable milestone, cementing his place as only the third Indian player to score 200 or more runs in a Test match while batting at the number-3 position on foreign soil.
Capitalizing on Opportunity to Make History
Devdutt Padikkal received his chance to bat at number-3 in the Galle Test after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series due to an injury. Grabbing the opportunity with both hands, Padikkal notched up the maiden century of his Test career. He followed it up with a crucial 44-run contribution during a tense phase in the second innings. With this feat, he joins an elite group featuring Rahul Dravid and Sanjay Manjrekar as the only Indians to aggregate 200-plus runs at number-3 in overseas Tests. Rahul Dravid achieved this milestone five times in his career, while Sanjay Manjrekar did it once. When considering both home and away matches combined, Padikkal stands as the eighth Indian batsman overall to score 200 or more runs in a Test match while occupying the number-3 slot.
India Stumbles in Second Innings as Rishabh Pant Reaches Landmark
While India’s batting flourished during the first innings of the Galle Test, the second innings saw a sharp decline as the team folded for 193 runs. Amidst the collapse, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant fought back with a fluent 66-run knock that included two sixes, enabling him to complete a century of sixes in Test cricket. Only three Indian batsmen managed to reach double figures in this innings, leaving the team with a defending target.
Setting a Formidable Target for Sri Lanka
Combining the first-inning advantage and the second-inning total, India set Sri Lanka a challenging target of 372 runs to win the Test match. With the pitch at Galle offering significant assistance to bowlers by the fourth day, chasing this total in the fourth innings presents a steep challenge for the hosts. The Indian bowling attack now holds a strong position to defend the target and secure a victory in the opening fixture.
