Rain delay ends as Day 2 of SL vs IND 1st Test finally gets under way at Galle

Day 2 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India at Galle finally got under way on August 16, 2026, after rain wiped out the entire morning session. The covers came off and the ground was declared fit for play, with the BCCI confirming that the match would resume at 2:35 PM IST, with a tea break scheduled from 4:00 PM to 4:20 PM IST. The stumps, meanwhile, will be called at 6:00 PM IST.

India resumed their first innings at 288 for 2, a position they built across 73 overs on Day 1. The rain that disrupted the morning of Day 2 was a continuation of the weather trouble that had already affected the opening day, when heavy rain and a wet outfield delayed the second session. The match is scheduled to run until August 19, 2026, and the overs lost across both days will require careful management of the remaining playing time.

How did India reach 288 for 2 on Day 1?

India chose to bat after winning the toss and posted a commanding total by the close of Day 1. Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, remaining unbeaten on 131 at stumps and giving India a firm platform to build on once play resumed. KL Rahul also made a significant contribution, scoring 77 before retiring hurt, which allowed India to keep their wickets intact while still advancing the score at a healthy rate across 73 overs.

The combination of Padikkal's unbeaten century and Rahul's half-century meant India lost only two wickets on the opening day, placing them in a position of considerable strength. With Padikkal set to continue his knock, India will be looking to push to the range of 400-450 in their first innings and put the match beyond Sri Lanka's reach at the earliest opportunity.

What are the key bowling threats Sri Lanka will look to use?

The hosts will be eager to make early inroads once play resumes, and left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya is expected to be central to their plans at Galle. Jayasuriya has taken 81 wickets in 11 Tests at the venue for Sri Lanka, making him one of the most experienced and effective bowlers on this surface. His record underlines why the Galle pitch remains a formidable home advantage for Sri Lanka, even when the opposition arrives in strong form.

India, for their part, named Kuldeep Yadav as one of three frontline spinners in their playing eleven, reflecting the spin-friendly nature of the Galle pitch and India's intent to exploit the surface in their own right. It will now be interesting to see what total the Indians are able to post in their first innings as the action has resumed in Galle.