India opener KL Rahul had a happening and random day 1 of the IND vs SL 1st Test that ended with him sitting in the dressing room and watching Rishabh Pant and Devdutt Padikkal finish on a high for India, but the right-hander wasn’t dismissed.
The much-awaited India vs Sri Lanka Test series 2026, which is India’s first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2017, got underway on Saturday at the scenic Galle stadium, with the visiting skipper, Shubman Gill, winning an important toss and electing to bat first.
India are missing the injured trio of Sai Sudharsan, Jasprit Bumrah, and Washington Sundar. Their places have been taken by Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna, and Manav Suthar in the lineup for this fixture.
The hosts, too, are missing two important players, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, due to injuries.
Padikkal was the star of the day for India as the southpaw creamed a nearly flawless maiden Test century. At one point, Rahul, too, seemed to be on his way towards a three-figure score. However, he had to retire hurt at 77.
Rahul and Jaiswal gave India a promising start with a 47-run opening partnership. But the duo was then involved in a mix-up that resulted in Jaiswal getting run out for 32 runs off 37 balls, the youngster left ruing a great chance of piling up a big individual score.
KL Rahul then formed a solid second-wicket partnership with Padikkal worth 150 runs off 252 balls, which involved batting the entire second session without losing their wickets.
Rahul reached his half-century off 127 balls, but later on, he had to walk back to the dressing room at the tea break in pain. He walked out in the middle to begin the third session, but he continued to wince in pain.
IND vs SL: Why Did KL Rahul Retire Hurt Today And Is He Eligible To Bat Again In 1st Test?
Rahul retired hurt on 77* on day 1 in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka because he suffered severe cramps in the heat in Galle. Rahul was visibly tired and cramping so much in his hands and then in his legs too as he limped back to the dressing room.
Yes, Rahul can come back later in India’s innings to bat again and resume his innings.
Meanwhile, India ended day 1 at 288/2. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131* and Pant on 27*, while Jaiswal (32) and Gill (16) were the only two Indian batters to be dismissed today; Rahul retired hurt on 77*.
IND vs SL Playing XI 1st Test:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka: Prabath Jayasuriya, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Keshara Nuwantha, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
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