India closed the rain-shortened opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on 288 for 2, with Devdutt Padikkal unbeaten on 131 in the innings that ended India’s 20-Test wait for a century from No. 3.

Only 73 overs were possible after two rain breaks. Padikkal, recalled at No. 3 in place of the injured B. Sai Sudharsan, faced 178 balls for his maiden Test hundred, ESPNcricinfo reported. He was accompanied at the crease at stumps by Rishabh Pant on 27; the pair added 48 runs in roughly 40 minutes after the second interruption.

Prabath Jayasuriya claimed the only wicket to fall to a bowler all day, dismissing captain Shubman Gill for 16 as he charged down the wicket and holed out to deep mid-off. Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32, and KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 after a forearm cramp left him struggling to hold the bat properly through the tea interval.

Debutant offspinner Keshara Nuwantha drew the most false shots of any bowler — 18 — but was expensive and inconsistent, conceding 98 runs in 21 overs. He twice beat Padikkal, drawing an outside edge that fell short of slip and squaring him up with turn from leg stump.

Pitch turning early

The ball turned an average of 4.5 degrees in the final session, following 3.8 and 4.2 degrees in the first two — a progression ESPNcricinfo noted will concern Sri Lanka as they bat later in the match.

How the day began

India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the opening Test of the two-match series at Galle on Saturday morning.

It was only Gill’s third toss won in nine Tests as captain. ESPNcricinfo reported that the Galle pitch carried an even grass covering with no dry patches, and was expected to offer some seam movement early before easing out as the moisture dried.

Nuwantha handed debut ahead of Ramesh Mendis

Sri Lanka made the more surprising selection call, giving a Test debut to 25-year-old offspinner Keshara Nuwantha in preference to Ramesh Mendis. Nishan Madushka came in for the injured opener Pathum Nissanka, and Niroshan Dickwella returned to the side for his first Test in three years, keeping wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva captains the hosts.

India replaced the injured B. Sai Sudharsan with another left-hand batter at No. 3 in Devdutt Padikkal. Their attack went along expected lines, with three left-arm spinners — including Kuldeep Yadav — alongside seamers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

Two milestones at a single venue

The match is India’s 600th Test, making them the third team to reach that mark, according to Ada Derana. The fixture is also the 50th Test staged at Galle, which becomes the first venue in Asia to host 50 matches in the format.

Both sides need a sweep

Neither team can afford a slip in the World Test Championship race. Both are stranded in the middle of the standings and need a 2-0 series sweep to keep a realistic chance of reaching the WTC final. India sit fifth after four wins, four defeats and a draw from nine matches.

Sri Lanka XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.

India XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Sources