KL Rahul received a crucial lifeline during India’s second innings in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, thanks to teammate Devdutt Padikkal’s insistence that he take a review. The decision proved vital as the Indian vice-captain initially appeared certain to be dismissed leg before wicket by Prabath Jayasuriya. The incident came shortly after Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, leaving India vulnerable to another early setback.
Jayasuriya’s delivery appeared to beat Rahul’s bat and strike him in line with the stumps. The Sri Lankan spinner and his teammates were confident about the appeal, while Rahul initially accepted the decision and began walking back. However, Devdutt Padikkal urged Rahul to review the decision. The DRS showed that the ball was actually missing the stumps because of the bounce, overturning the on-field decision and giving Rahul a crucial second chance.
KL Rahul immediately celebrated with Devdutt Padikkal, hugging his batting partner after realising he had survived. The review proved particularly significant given the partnership that followed.
ALSO READ: Dinesh Chandimal Suffers Injury While Fielding in Galle Test, Taken for Precautionary Scan
Rahul and Padikkal went on to add another 50-plus partnership in the second innings. The pair had already produced a huge 150-plus stand in India’s first innings before Rahul was eventually dismissed following an unfortunate run-out.
Devdutt Padikkal saved KL Rahul here
He was the one who told him to go for the review when KL was already ready to walk back to the dressing room. And KL acknowledged it with that hug ❤️#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/Ny3yTtqUz1— SiKANDAR (@430atEdgbaston) August 18, 2026
KL Rahul was given LBW.
He started to walk back to dressing room, then Padikkal asked to take the DRS and it was missing – KL got another life.
Then a big hug from KL to Padikkal 😂❤️ pic.twitter.com/BepCLDU2UZ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 18, 2026
Their second-innings partnership also created a notable record. Rahul and Padikkal became only the fifth Indian batting pair to record 50-plus partnerships in both innings of a Test in Sri Lanka.
The previous Indian pairs to achieve the feat were Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das in Colombo in 2001, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in Galle in 2008, Sehwag and Gambhir again in Colombo in 2008, and VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina in Colombo in 2010.
WATCH – Yashasvi Jaiswal Dismissed For Another Duck As Sri Lanka Strike Early In Galle Test
India remained firmly in control after Sri Lanka was bowled out for 284 in their first innings. Having posted 462 earlier, the visitors carried a substantial lead into their second innings. At the latest stage of play, India had moved to 81/2, holding an overall lead of 259 runs. Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, while Rahul made 35 before departing. Devdutt Padikkal and captain Shubman Gill were at the crease as India looked to build an imposing target for Sri Lanka in Galle.
