The opening Test of India's 2026 tour of Sri Lanka at Galle hangs firmly in the balance following a compelling three days of cricket. Centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Sonal Dinusha have defined a match characterized by sharp lower-order resistance, milestones, and high-stakes drama on the field.

Devdutt Padikkal seized his opportunity at No. 3 with a fluent, elegant knock of 167. Coming into the team as a replacement for Sai after averaging 60.33 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Padikkal brought up his maiden Test hundred with a driven single to mid-off off Keshara Nuwantha.

Padikkal eventually departed after a marathon 167, scoring those runs from 230 balls and hitting 15 fours and 1 six before being stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off Prabath Jayasuriya. India's first innings later concluded at 462 after surviving just four deliveries on Day 3, with Asitha Fernando dismissing Prasidh Krishna.

Sonal Dinusha rescued Sri Lanka after a top-order collapse with a composed and resilient century. Dinusha reached his maiden Test hundred under pressure by sweeping Manav Suthar along the ground after Sri Lanka had slipped to 59-4.

Sonal Dinusha scored 100 runs from 168 balls, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes before being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.

Key partnerships between Dickwella and Dinusha bailed Sri Lanka out of early trouble. Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha formed a crucial partnership exceeding 100 runs to rebuild the innings.

Niroshan Dickwella fell just short of a hundred, scoring 80 runs from 115 balls, including 7 fours, before edging Prasidh Krishna to Rishabh Pant.

Ravindra Jadeja claimed his 350th Test wicket while supporting spinners and pacers kept chipping away. Jadeja reached this milestone when Keshara Nuwantha was caught by Shubman Gill off an away-turner.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's bizarre run-out involving a collision with the bowler sparked spirit-of-cricket discussions. Jaiswal was run out for 32 after being obstructed by bowler Keshara Nuwantha who dived to stop a single, causing confusion between the batters.

Keshara Nuwantha made a memorable impact with the ball by picking up multiple wickets on debut. Nuwantha claimed his maiden Test wicket and a three-fer by dismissing Rishabh Pant and finished with key scalps including KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.