Team India batter KL Rahul termed Devdutt Padikkal’s first-innings hundred in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka as the defining aspect of the match. The Indian vice-captain praised the southpaw for overcoming challenging conditions and converting his maiden Test ton into a big score.
Padikkal was named Player of the Match for his knocks of 167 & 44 as India beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test in Galle on Wednesday, August 19. Chasing a target of 372, the hosts resumed their second innings at 88-4 and were bowled out for 206 on Day 5.
At the post-match press conference, Rahul made a big statement on Padikkal’s first-innings hundred in Galle and commented (via Revsportz):
“That innings was, I think for me, the defining part of this Test match. The way he batted, the tempo that he batted with and to go on and get a big 100 in the first innings really set up the game for us. The conditions were really hot and it was challenging physically as well, so for him to get through that… and get a big first-innings total really set up this Test match.”
Padikkal struck 15 fours and a six in his first-innings century, which lasted 340 minutes during which he faced 230 balls.
“There’s a sense of balance and calmness now that” – KL Rahul on adapting to various conditions
While Padikkal was the standout batter for India in Galle, Rahul also chipped in with crucial contributions, registering scores of 82 & 35. The Indian vice-captain has improved his consistency tremendously in the last couple of years. Speaking about his growth as a Test batter, the 34-year-old said (via aforementioned source):
“Since I’ve been doing that and feeling confident in that, I think I carry that calmness into every Test match because I feel like I’ve done all of those things right. There’s a sense of balance and calmness now that, after having played so many Test matches, when I walk into a Test match.”
Stressing on the importance of preparation heading into a Test match, Rahul elaborated:
“I think we ticked most of the boxes and we did most of the things right that we spoke about before the Test match and the way we prepared, I think we could put that into practice.”
The second Test of the two-match series between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to August 27.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
