Padikkal hits impressive maiden ton as India dominate Sri Lanka on day one in Galle

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/india/fcOzl2uI/"]India[/a] had been fretting over the one-down position after Sai Sudharsan, ‌one of the seven batters tried in that position ‌in the last two years, was ruled out with a toe injury.[/p][p]It ‌opened the door for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/padikkal-devdutt/h2IB22df/"]Padikkal[/a], and the left-hander responded ‌with a free-scoring 131 not out, putting India on course for a formidable first-innings total on the opening day of the Test [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/cricket/india-fcOzl2uI/sri-lanka-zahH5UHg/?mid=zo6K5Xjg"]at the ‌Galle International Stadium[/a].[/p][p]Opener KL Rahul made a composed ⁠77 before retiring hurt.[/p][embed guid="321b16cc-64fa-48f8-ad1d-bc65c68aeb30" url="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2088605947694596471" social-type="twitter" /][p]India ‌got off to a fluent start after captain Shubman Gill opted to ​bat first on a track that promised plenty of runs.[/p][p]Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul added 47 for the opening ​wicket before an almighty mix-up left both batters stranded at the non-striker's end.[/p][p]Jaiswal (32) was run out, but Rahul joined forces with ⁠Padikkal in a 150-run ​stand that kept [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sri-lanka/zahH5UHg/"]Sri Lanka[/a] wicketless through the rain-delayed second session.[/p][p]Padikkal nearly offered a return catch to Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva early in his innings but was otherwise the epitome ‌of elegance.[/p][p]Having opened his account with a boundary, the southpaw stepped out against Prabath Jayasuriya and lofted the left-arm spinner over his head for six.[/p][p]Padikkal's aggression appeared to rub off on Rahul, who gave Jayasuriya similar treatment in the spinner's next over.[/p][p]Padikkal brought up his half-century with a single off Lahiru Kumara, while Rahul soon reached his own fifty as the pair milked the Sri Lanka attack with consummate ease.[/p][embed guid="c0fcb161-7372-4508-b321-e3a79c270b60" url="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2088584154682400842" social-type="twitter" /][p]As the runs continued ‌to flow, Rahul developed cramps and retired hurt after an ​assured knock featuring nine fours and a six.[/p][p]Gill, who made ‌16, struck two sweetly timed boundaries before throwing away his wicket. The right-hander charged at Jayasuriya, only to sky a catch to mid-off.[/p][p]Rishabh Pant made a breezy unbeaten 27 and will look to continue his fine start when ⁠play resumes in India's 600th ⁠Test, and also the ‌50th Test at Galle.[/p]