India vs Sri Lanka: KL Rahul, Paddikal resume charge after rain
Day one's play in the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka will resume at 2pm local time on Saturday following a rain delay during the lunch break at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Sharfuddoula Saikat carried out an inspection at 1:35pm after the ground staff removed the covers and worked to clear the outfield following the rain stoppage, which…
India's Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium resumed on Saturday at 2pm local time after a rain delay during lunch break. Umpires Rod Tucker and Sharfuddoula Saikat inspected the pitch at 1:35pm after clearing the outfield following the rain interruption, which resulted in an 80-minute loss. The revised schedule aims to complete 86 overs in a single day, with the second session running from 2pm to 3:50pm, followed by a tea break, and the final session from 4:10pm to 6pm if conditions permit.
India started strongly in their innings, reaching 101/1 in 27 overs, with vice-captain KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal forming an unbroken 54-run partnership for the second wicket. The duo put the visitors in a strong position. Despite losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 32 off 37 balls in a chaotic run-out, India maintained a healthy scoring rate, thanks to Padikkal and Rahul's aggressive play against Sri Lanka's spin attack, particularly when they struck left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for sixes shortly before lunch.
Sri Lanka's spinners occasionally found turn and bounce on the Galle surface but lacked consistency, allowing Rahul and Padikkal to settle. The pair will now aim to capitalize on their morning gains when play resumes, marking Galle's 50th Test match as a venue. Shubman Gill expressed that leading India in the 600th Test is a huge honor.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
