India lost seven wickets for 112 runs on a rain-interrupted second day of the Galle Test. Devdutt Padikkal continued his impressive innings with 167, while Dhruv Jurel’s half-century helped India reach 460/9.
India Lose Momentum After Strong Opening Day
India’s strong start in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle gave way to a difficult second day as the hosts’ spinners made significant inroads into the batting line-up.
Resuming their first innings at 288/2, India added 112 runs but lost seven wickets to finish the day at 460/9 after 116 overs.
The day was also heavily disrupted by rain. Only 43 overs were possible, with the first session washed out completely. Despite the limited playing time, Sri Lanka’s spin attack made the most of the conditions and put India under sustained pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal remained the standout batter for India, carrying his innings to 167 from 230 balls, with 15 fours and a six. However, apart from Dhruv Jurel, who scored a valuable 51, the Indian middle and lower order struggled to build substantial partnerships.
Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Nuwantha Keshara were central to the hosts’ fightback, finishing the day with four and three wickets respectively.
Rain Delays Start at Galle
Rain dictated the early part of the second day.
Showers began in Galle on Sunday morning and repeatedly interrupted preparations for play. Although the rain eventually eased around the afternoon, the wet outfield and poor light prevented the teams from taking the field.
After a prolonged wait, play finally began at 2:30 p.m.
The delayed start left only a limited window for cricket, but Sri Lanka made the most of the available overs once play resumed.
India’s batting line-up, which had looked comfortable on the opening day, quickly found itself under pressure.
Pant Falls Early After Resumption
India began the day with Rishabh Pant alongside Padikkal, but Pant’s innings ended soon after play got underway.
On 39, Pant attempted to play a big shot against Nuwantha Keshara but failed to time the stroke properly. The ball went towards mid-off, where Dinusha completed an excellent diving catch.
The dismissal gave Sri Lanka an early opening.
KL Rahul, who had retired from the crease on the first day after suffering a muscle issue, returned to bat in Pant’s place. But his stay was brief.
Rahul, who had scored 82, added only four more runs before Keshara dismissed him. He was caught at short leg by Nishan, leaving India with another important wicket down.
Padikkal Reaches 150 Before a Costly Mistake
At the other end, Padikkal continued the form that had made him the dominant Indian batter on the first day.
He reached the 150-run mark with a boundary off Asitha Fernando, strengthening India’s position despite the wickets falling around him.
But his impressive innings ended soon afterward.
Attempting to come down the track against Prabath Jayasuriya, Padikkal was beaten and stumped. His departure removed the batter who had provided the innings with much of its stability.
Padikkal’s 167 came from 230 deliveries and included 15 fours and one six.
With India losing wickets at regular intervals, the responsibility shifted to the experienced Ravindra Jadeja.
Keshara Adds Another Key Wicket
India hoped Jadeja could steady the innings, but Keshara struck again.
Jadeja made only 13 before the Sri Lankan spinner trapped him leg before wicket after the tea interval. It was India’s sixth wicket and another important breakthrough for the hosts.
Keshara’s ability to extract assistance from the conditions had become increasingly significant as the innings progressed.
Sri Lanka’s spinners, who had not made a major impact on the first day, were now controlling the contest.
Jayasuriya and Keshara repeatedly troubled the Indian batters and ensured that the visitors could not convert their strong opening position into a much larger total without a fight.
Jurel and Suthar Rescue India
With wickets tumbling, Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar took charge of rebuilding the innings.
The pair showed considerable composure against Sri Lanka’s spin attack, refusing to allow the hosts to run through the lower middle order.
Their partnership produced 55 runs from 66 balls for the seventh wicket, providing India with a much-needed lift.
Jurel struck two boundaries in a Lahiru over, while Suthar added a four of his own. Their efforts helped India move beyond the 400-run mark.
Jurel then completed his half-century in 66 balls, reaching the milestone with a double off Nuwantha.
His innings ended shortly afterward, however, when Jayasuriya dismissed him. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya took an excellent catch at slip to complete the dismissal.
Jurel’s contribution of 51 from 68 balls, including four fours and a six, proved crucial in pushing India towards a competitive total.
India Avoid Collapse Before Stumps
Jurel’s departure briefly raised the prospect of India being bowled out before the end of the second day.
Mohammed Siraj, who scored 11, and Suthar, who made 24, soon followed Jurel back to the pavilion.
With India nine wickets down, Sri Lanka had an opportunity to complete the innings.
But Kuldeep Yadav, unbeaten on 12, and Prasidh Krishna, unbeaten on 1, resisted the Sri Lankan attack and ensured that India survived until the close.
Their presence at the crease left India at 460/9 when play ended.
Sri Lanka Spinners Turn the Tide
The second day belonged largely to Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers.
Jayasuriya finished with figures of 4/109, while Keshara claimed 3/175. Together, they accounted for seven of India’s wickets as the visitors lost momentum after their dominant first-day performance.
The figures also highlighted how sharply the conditions and match situation had changed. India had started the day at 288/2, but the loss of seven wickets for 112 runs allowed Sri Lanka to pull the contest back.
Still, India remained nine wickets down rather than all out, leaving the innings unfinished at the close.
Score at Stumps
India: 460/9 after 116 overs
Devdutt Padikkal 167, Dhruv Jurel 51; Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Nuwantha Keshara 3/175.
The first Test at Galle now heads into its next phase with India holding a substantial first-innings score, but Sri Lanka’s spinners having made a strong comeback on a second day shortened considerably by rain.
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