Rahul, Padikkal steady India after Jaiswal run-out in first Sri Lanka Test

KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal steadied India after the run-out of Yashasvi Jaiswal as the visitors reached 101 for one at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. Rahul was unbeaten on 32 off 77 balls, while Padikkal provided greater momentum with an unbeaten 35 off 49 deliveries. India faced 27 overs in the morning session after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first.

The match is a landmark occasion for Indian cricket as it is the country's 600th Test. It also marks Galle International Stadium's 50th Test match.

Jaiswal run out after steady start

India began cautiously against the Sri Lankan new-ball attack, with Jaiswal providing the early boundaries while Rahul took time to settle.

Jaiswal opened India's account with a flick for four off Asitha Fernando in the first over. He then attacked Lahiru Kumara, hitting two more boundaries in the sixth over as India moved to 22 without loss.

The openers took India to 39 without loss after 10 overs before a mix-up brought Sri Lanka their first breakthrough.

On the final delivery of the 11th over, Rahul played the ball and set off for a single. Confusion between the two batters resulted in both ending up towards the same end, leaving Jaiswal stranded. He was run out for 32.

The dismissal gave Sri Lanka an opening after India had negotiated the initial phase without losing a wicket.

Padikkal keeps scoreboard moving

Padikkal joined Rahul and quickly settled into his innings. While Rahul continued to play the anchor's role, Padikkal looked for scoring opportunities and ensured that the visitors did not become bogged down after Jaiswal's dismissal.

The pair took India past 50 and then towards the 100-run mark without offering Sri Lanka another breakthrough.

Sri Lanka introduced spin early on a Galle surface already showing signs of turn and bounce. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bowled nine overs before lunch, conceding 25 runs without taking a wicket. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva also brought himself into the attack and returned figures of 0/7 from two overs by the interval.

India eventually reached 101 for one from 27 overs at lunch, scoring at 3.74 runs per over.

Scare for Sri Lankan fielder

The opening session also witnessed a worrying moment when Sri Lankan fielder Nishan Madushka was struck on the helmet by a powerful sweep from Rahul while fielding at short leg.

Rahul immediately went over to check on the fielder as Sri Lanka's medical staff attended to him. Madushka subsequently left the field for further medical assessment.

Reports said he was later taken to a medical facility for precautionary checks following the impact.

Historic Test for India

Saturday's match is India's 600th Test since entering the format in 1932, adding further significance to the opening fixture of the two-match series.

India entered the contest fifth in the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings and are seeking valuable points after setbacks in their recent red-ball campaigns. Sri Lanka began the series sixth in the standings, making the two Tests important for both sides' hopes of remaining in contention for the WTC final.

India are also playing a Test series in Sri Lanka for the first time in nine years. Their previous Test tour of the island nation came in 2017, when they completed a 3-0 series sweep.

Gill's side went into the opening Test without injured fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. India opted for a spin-heavy combination suited to Galle conditions, with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar included alongside pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

Sri Lanka also packed their side with spin options in conditions traditionally favourable to slow bowlers.

The ground staff brought covers onto the field during the lunch interval as dark clouds hovered around Galle, although it had not started raining at the break.

At lunch, India were 101 for one in 27 overs, with Rahul on 32 and Padikkal on 35, having added an unbeaten 60-plus partnership following Jaiswal's run-out.