Cricket / Padikkal, Rahul Steady India after Jaiswal’s Freak Run‑Out in Galle

Galle, Aug 15: India reached 101/1 in 27 overs at lunch on day one of their historic 600th Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

Devdutt Padikkal (35 not out) and KL Rahul (32 not out) steadied the innings after a bizarre run‑out ended Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent knock at 32.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India’s openers Jaiswal and Rahul provided a brisk start. Jaiswal looked in sublime touch, finding boundaries through flicks, on‑drives, and cuts whenever pacers Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara strayed in line or length.

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Sri Lanka introduced spin early, with debutant off‑spinner Keshara Nuwantha coming on in the ninth over. His arrival was marked by a frightening moment when short‑leg fielder Nishan Madushka was struck flush on the helmet by a powerful pull from Rahul, forcing him to leave the field for medical assessment.

India had progressed to 47 without loss in the 11th over when chaos struck. Rahul drove a flighted delivery from Nuwantha towards mid‑on and set off for a single. Jaiswal, running from the non‑striker’s end, collided with the bowler, who was diving to stop the ball.

Losing balance, Jaiswal fell, then abruptly turned back, leaving both batters scrambling at the same end. Rahul grounded his bat first, and keeper Niroshan Dickwella whipped off the bails, sending Jaiswal back to the pavilion.

Padikkal, fresh from an unbeaten 142 in the warm‑up game, quickly imposed himself on the spinners. He hammered Nuwantha for four and lofted Prabath Jayasuriya over long‑on for six in the 14th over. Rahul too grew in confidence, dancing down the track to launch Jayasuriya for a straight six before cutting him past point to bring up India’s hundred in the 26th over.

At the break, Padikkal and Rahul’s unbroken second‑wicket stand had swelled to 54 runs. With covers briefly drawn over the ground, hopes remained that rain would not disrupt India’s bid to dominate in what is also the 50th Test staged at Galle.

Brief Scores: India 101/1 in 27 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 35 not out, KL Rahul 32 not out) against Sri Lanka.

(IANS)