Retired Ranji Veteran Ashok Bambi
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s hopes of winning a Test match against India for the first time in a decade were dashed on the very first day of the opening Test at Galle. They will now be fighting simply to save the match on a pitch that promises plenty for the spinners. Sri Lanka had wanted to bat first and put up a big total to pressure India, but the toss didn’t go their way.
India’s openers made a solid start, with Jaiswal looking the more aggressive and confident of the two. However, a mix-up left both batsmen stranded at the same end—an unfortunate and needless way for Jaiswal to lose his wicket. K.L. Rahul, true to form, batted with solid defence, while Dev Padikkal looked confident from the outset, playing his shots right from the start. Both Karnataka players middled the ball well, especially off the back foot, and their partnership was flourishing until the tea break. After the interval, though, Rahul began struggling with cramps in his hands, even finding it difficult to walk—a common issue for players given the humidity in Sri Lanka these days.
Captain Gill, who had given up his opening slot for the team’s sake, came in to bat in Rahul’s place. He got off to a bright start, striking three boundaries in quick succession, but in trying to accelerate the scoring, he played an unnecessary lofted shot and threw his wicket away.
Padikkal, meanwhile, continued in his own composed style and brought up his maiden Test century. Pant, playing with his trademark flamboyance, survived a few anxious moments before finding his rhythm, hitting a six and a handful of boundaries to remain unbeaten at the end of the day.
The bulk of the credit, though, belongs to Padikkal—not just for his century, but for anchoring the innings and giving India a solid total on a rain-shortened opening day. The score of 288 for 2 has put India firmly in the driver’s seat. With the pitch expected to assist spinners as early as day three, the hosts will find India’s spin attack a real handful in their second innings. Given the strong platform and how things are likely to unfold, India should be well placed to win this match comfortably.
