Devdutt Padikkal announced himself in style during the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, smashing spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for the first six of the two-match series. The India batter produced a positive start as the visitors looked to build a strong first-innings total after winning the toss.
The maximum came on the first delivery of the 14th over. Jayasuriya bowled a full delivery outside off stump, but Padikkal stepped down the track and struck it cleanly over long-on. The shot cleared the boundary comfortably and underlined the left-hander’s attacking intent.
Padikkal entered the Test in impressive form after making an unbeaten 142 off 164 balls in India’s three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. His knock included 18 boundaries and provided a timely confidence boost ahead of the series.
WATCH – KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal Involved In Bizarre Run-Out As India Lose Opener in Galle
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, handed a Test debut to 25-year-old off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
Padikkal steps out and sends it sailing! 🚀💥
A clean strike over long-on for SIX! 🔥
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India’s opening pair, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, initially put together a steady partnership. The duo added 47 runs from 66 deliveries before Jaiswal was involved in a bizarre run-out and departed for 32 off 37 balls, with five fours.
Padikkal then walked in at No. 3 and immediately looked comfortable against the Sri Lankan attack. He scored 14 runs from his first 10 deliveries, while Rahul settled into his innings and rotated the strike effectively.
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The pair subsequently added an unbeaten 54-run partnership from 96 balls for the second wicket. At lunch on Day 1, India had reached 101/1 after 27 overs, with Rahul unbeaten on 32 off 77 balls and Padikkal on 35 off 49 deliveries. Both batters had struck four fours, while Padikkal had also cleared the boundary once.
