KL Rahul Retires Hurt as India Dominates Day 1 Against Sri Lanka

In the opening Test against Sri Lanka, KL Rahul had to retire hurt due to cramps, leaving Shubman Gill to take his place. Despite this setback, India showcased a strong performance, with Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal forming a solid partnership. The team ended Day 1 in a commanding position, having scored 197 runs for the loss of just one wicket. This article delves into the match's key moments and performances, highlighting India's dominance on the field.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 15, 2026, 17:36 IST

KL Rahul's Injury Overshadows Strong Start

During the opening Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday, Indian opener KL Rahul had to retire hurt due to cramps just before the final session began. Shubman Gill replaced him at the crease.

Rahul was batting at 77 not out when he initially walked towards the pitch but soon showed signs of distress, particularly with his right hand. As the cramps intensified, he also appeared to be in pain with his left hand, limping off the field.

His exit ended a solid 150-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who remained at the crease with an unbeaten score of 84 as India resumed their innings at 197/1.

Strong Partnership Puts India in Control

India's position in the Test was bolstered by the partnership between Padikkal and Rahul. Both players remained unbeaten during the session, with Padikkal scoring 84* and Rahul 77*, contributing significantly after Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal for 32 runs in the first session.

In the second session, India added 96 runs to their total. Starting at 101/1, both batters capitalized on their strong starts. Padikkal, who stepped up to No. 3 due to Sai Sudharsan's injury, effectively countered Sri Lanka's spinners.

Rahul provided stability, confidently facing the Sri Lankan bowlers, who struggled to extract movement or turn from the pitch. Padikkal reached his fifty in the 37th over, while Rahul followed suit in the 43rd over.

Exciting Moments Amidst Indian Dominance

Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya created brief moments of tension during the session, but India managed to maintain their composure. In the 29th over, Fernando appealed for LBW against Padikkal, but the ball had brushed the back pad before hitting the inside edge, leading to a missed review.

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the scoring with a boundary off Asitha Fernando. After 10 overs, India was at 39/0, with both openers playing cautiously.

However, Jaiswal was run out on the last ball of the 11th over due to a mix-up with Rahul. He slipped while attempting a single after being obstructed by fielder Keshara Nuwantha, resulting in both batters being at the same end. Jaiswal was dismissed for 32 runs off 37 balls, including five fours.

India's Steady Progression

This marked the third time Jaiswal had been run out in Test cricket, having faced similar dismissals against Australia and the West Indies in previous matches.

India reached 54/1 after 13 overs, with Rahul and Padikkal stabilizing the innings and advancing to 73/1. They continued to build momentum, taking India past the 100-run mark in the 26th over while effectively handling the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

At lunch, India stood at 101/1 after 27 overs, with Rahul not out on 32 from 77 balls, including four fours and a six, while Padikkal was also unbeaten on 35 from 49 balls, featuring five boundaries. The duo had formed an unbroken 54-run partnership for the second wicket.