IND Vs SL Highlights, 1st Test Day 1: India End Day On 288/2 As Padikkal Shines With 131

Good morning cricket fans! We're back with the live coverage of Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday, August 15. Stay tuned for the live score and real-time updates of the match here.

The 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network and will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website in India. The live action of Day 1 will begin at 10:00 AM IST, while toss takes place at 9:30 AM.

India will be eager to reverse their recent subcontinental struggles and improve their underwhelming Test record in Sri Lanka. The visitors hope to overcome these past hurdles to secure a much-needed away series win.

Sri Lanka's recent form in Test cricket has been a mix of resilient home performances and tough challenges abroad. In their most recent red-ball outing during the tour of the West Indies, they secured a hard-fought draw in the second Test after a heavy defeat in the opener. Prior to that, they demonstrated their prowess on subcontinental pitches with a commanding innings victory over Bangladesh.

India’s preparations for the Test series have been significantly disrupted by a string of key injuries and fitness setbacks. The visitors suffered a major blow when premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to an incomplete recovery from a left knee injury, prompting the selection committee to hand a maiden call-up to domestic standout Auqib Nabi. Compounding their troubles, the squad also lost promising batter Sai Sudharsan to a right-toe stress reaction—with Sarfaraz Khan stepping in as his replacement—alongside sidelined names like Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Even newly appointed captain Shubman Gill had a brief injury scare after taking a knock to his finger during training in Colombo, though he has since recovered to lead a depleted yet eager side.

India have won the toss and elected to put runs on the board first.

The team leadership has chosen to take full advantage of the fresh conditions by batting first, aiming to put a commanding total on the board and pressure the opposition in the latter half of the match.

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

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

Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are out on the crease and Sri Lanka have opened their bowling Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara. Fans await for some intriguing action.

After being off to a steady start, Yashasvi Jaiswal punished Lahiru Kumar's lack of control to bring up two boundaries off one over. Kumara is struggling for getting a proper line and length and the Indian batters are looking to capitalise on it.

During a Test match delivery from spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, KL Rahul powerfully middled a sweep shot that smashed flush into the center of short leg fielder Nishan Madushka's helmet as he attempted to duck. Although KL Rahul was visibly reluctant to take the single off the deflection to fine leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal was already through, forcing Rahul to complete the run before immediately rushing over to check on Madushka's condition alongside the team physio. Following the medical evaluation, Madushka removed his shin pads and walked off the field as a precautionary measure, leaving everyone hoping he has escaped a concussion.

A dramatic run-out unfolded during the match following a bizarre and unfortunate mix-up between the batters. Facing Keshara Nuwantha, KL Rahul tapped the ball and immediately took off for what should have been a routine, comfortable single, quickly making it halfway down the pitch.

However, disaster struck when Yashasvi Jaiswal was unexpectedly obstructed mid-stride by bowler Keshara Nuwantha, who had dived sharply to his right in a desperate attempt to stop the ball. The sudden collision caused Jaiswal to lose his footing, leaving him stranded and helpless as the fielding side capitalized on the chaos to secure the run-out.

Even after Yashasvi Jaiswal's run out, India have not looked flustered or vulnerable in their defence. Both KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal have looked good and the later has been the more aggressive of the duo. They kept ticking the scoreboard and after ten overs, they can successfully say that they have handled the new ball well. Pressure is on Sri Lanka now.

The lunch break arrives with the groundstaff swiftly rushing out to deploy the covers as dark skies loom overhead. India has enjoyed a productive morning session following a crucial toss win, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul putting on 47 brisk runs. Jaiswal began aggressively and looked sublime before his innings was prematurely ended due to an accidental collision with the bowler, resulting in a mix-up that left both batsmen stranded at the same end and Rahul winning the race. Devdutt Padikkal, coming off an unbeaten 142 in the warm-up match, has looked comfortable right from the start. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva has continuously rotated his bowling options, and while the primary spinners are extracting some turn, their lack of consistency has failed to trouble the Indian batsmen. With the entire venue blanketed under covers, play is tentatively scheduled to resume for the post-lunch session at 12:40 PM, weather permitting.

Displaying remarkable foresight under darkening skies, the efficient groundsmen promptly blanketed the entire venue with protective sheets well before the heavy downpour began. The rain has since eased off and the skies are clearing, with ground staff steadily removing the ballast tyres off the covers, though the volatile weather leaves open the possibility of gloom returning at a moment's notice.

The sun is currently breaking through, with ground staff efficiently peeling back the remaining covers and wickets being put back in place, pointing toward an official resumption announcement shortly.

As the final covers are peeled away, the umpires are deep in discussion near the pitch while groundsmen meticulously drain pooled water off the sheets beyond the boundary rope, backed by the active deployment of the super sopper.

Sri Lanka's players have returned to the field for their pre-match warm-ups, while Devdutt Padikkal gets some practice in with throwdowns near the boundary edge. With play officially scheduled to resume at 14:00, we are now just 15 minutes away from the action getting back underway.

Here is the revised timings for the rest of the day (in IST)

2:00 to 3:50 - 2nd session

3:50 - 4:10 - Tea

4:10 - 6:00 - 3rd session

Both KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal have realised that after the rain break, there can be some damp patches on the surface which can lead to problems. That is why they have taken things slow and post-resumption in the eight overs played, they have scored only 18 runs. Padikkal has been the quicker of the duo and is nearing his half-century.

India continue to cruise at a steady pace as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal keep the scoreboard ticking without taking unnecessary risks. Padikkal has looked particularly fluent, moving to 67 off 93 balls, while Rahul has patiently brought up 52 from 130 deliveries. With 154/1 after 43 overs, the pair have built a strong platform and Sri Lanka are still searching for a breakthrough. Keshara Nuwantha has gone for 40 runs in his eight overs without finding a wicket, while the batters are increasingly taking control of the proceedings.

India continue to dominate as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal put together a commanding partnership. Rahul has moved to 63 off 143 balls, while Padikkal is closing in on a well-deserved century with 80 off 117 deliveries. The pair have taken India to 179/1 after 49 overs, adding runs at a healthy rate while keeping the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure. Keshara Nuwantha has struggled to make an impact, conceding 56 runs in his 11 overs without a wicket. With only one wicket down, India are firmly in control and will look to accelerate further in the next phase.

India continue to strengthen their position as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal maintain a firm grip on proceedings. Rahul has accelerated to 77 off 162 balls, while Padikkal is unbeaten on 84 from 122 deliveries, taking India to 197/1 after 53 overs. The pair have added crucial runs without allowing Sri Lanka to build sustained pressure, with Rahul now closing in on a well-earned half-century-plus landmark and Padikkal edging closer to a maiden Test hundred. Keshara Nuwantha has found little success, going wicketless for 63 runs in 13 overs. Sri Lanka desperately need a breakthrough as India eye a big first-innings total.

India head into the final session firmly in control after a wicketless afternoon. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal resumed with the same determination following the rain-affected break, with both batters completing their half-centuries. Padikkal has been the more aggressive of the two, reaching 84 off 122 balls, while Rahul has battled through signs of fatigue and cramps to make 77 off 162. Sri Lanka have managed to extract some turn, but their lack of consistency has allowed India to keep scoring freely. With the groundstaff keeping the covers away, the immediate rain threat appears to have eased. India will look to push towards a big first-innings total in the final session.

KL Rahul is forced to retire hurt after suffering severe cramps in both hands and struggling to walk. Following the tea break, Rahul could not continue despite treatment, with Shubman Gill replacing him at the crease alongside Devdutt Padikkal. The physio is now attending to Rahul on the sidelines.

Devdutt Padikkal has done it! The left-hander brings up a superb maiden Test century, reaching 100 off 134 balls as India move to 219/1 after 57 overs. Shubman Gill is unbeaten on 6 off 12, while Prabath Jayasuriya returns to the attack with Sri Lanka still searching for their second wicket. Padikkal’s hundred also ends a long wait for India at No. 3, with Shubman Gill previously being the last Indian to score a Test century from that position in September 2024. India are now firmly in command.

Sri Lanka finally have a breakthrough after 45 overs without a wicket! Prabath Jayasuriya removes Shubman Gill for 16, with the Indian captain mistiming a lofted drive and holing out to Lahiru Udara at mid-off. It ends a long wait for Sri Lanka, with Jayasuriya claiming his first wicket in 45 overs at Galle. Rishabh Pant is now at the crease alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who has moved to 107 off 147 balls, as India reach 237/2 after 62 overs.

Rain has interrupted play in Galle just as India were looking to rebuild after Shubman Gill’s dismissal. The showers have intensified, forcing the players off as the ground staff rush in with the covers. However, there are signs of optimism, with bright sunshine still visible and a rainbow appearing in the background. India have moved to 239/2 after 63 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal unbeaten on a superb 107 off 147 balls and Rishabh Pant on 3 off 7. With roughly an hour remaining in the day, India will hope the rain clears quickly and allows further play.

Devdutt Padikkal is continuing to anchor the innings on a superb 109 off 153 balls. Rishabh Pant has settled in cautiously, reaching 8 off 19 deliveries after replacing Shubman Gill. Prabath Jayasuriya remains Sri Lanka’s only successful bowler, with figures of 1/66 from 23 overs. With India having lost just two wickets, Padikkal and Pant will look to build another partnership and push the visitors towards a commanding first-innings total.

India continue to pile on the runs. Devdutt Padikkal has moved to a superb 121 off 162 balls, while Rishabh Pant is growing in confidence with 22 off 28 deliveries. The pair are putting together a valuable partnership and keeping Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure. Keshara Nuwantha has struggled to make an impact, conceding 91 runs in 19 overs without a wicket. India are firmly in control and will now look to accelerate further as they target a commanding first-innings total.

India finish on 288/2, having dominated proceedings after winning the toss. Devdutt Padikkal capped an excellent day with an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls, while Rishabh Pant remained not out on 27 off 36. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unfortunate run-out for 32 was the only wicket in the opening session, while Shubman Gill later fell for 16. India’s openers capitalised on some wayward Sri Lankan new-ball bowling, and the hosts struggled to maintain pressure throughout the day. With fading light bringing an early end to play, India are firmly in the driver’s seat heading into Day 2.