SL vs IND 2026: Relieved KL Rahul hugs Devdutt Padikkal after DRS miracle in Galle

In the first Test between Sri Lanka and India an interesting moment happened on the last ball of the 11th over of India’s second innings. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bowled a delivery that came in with angle and drift. KL Rahul prodded forward, was beaten on the inside edge, and the ball struck him on the pads. The on-field umpire raised the finger, and Rahul was given out LBW.

Rahul was not confident about the decision, but it was his batting partner Devdutt Padikkal who urged him to take the DRS review. The review was taken more in hope than in certainty. DRS replays confirmed there was no bat involved and that the impact was in line with the stumps. However, ball-tracking showed the ball going over the top of the stumps, which meant the on-field decision was reversed and Rahul survived. Sri Lanka were visibly stunned by the outcome.

How the DRS review unfolded

The moment carried extra context because of what had happened on the very previous delivery. Rahul had come down the crease and hit Jayasuriya for a six. The LBW appeal on the very next ball therefore arrived at a moment of heightened tension for both sides.

As soon as the decision was overturned, Rahul turned to Padikkal and pulled him into a big bear hug on the field, acknowledging that his partner’s encouragement had saved his innings.

India’s first innings and match position

Earlier, Rahul and Padikkal put on a 150-run stand for the second wicket in the first innings. The wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for 82, bowled by Keshara Unwantha. Padikkal continued and also added a 52-run partnership with Rishabh Pant before being stumped off Jayasuriya for 167 after charging too early on Day 2.

India posted a first-innings total of 462, with Jayasuriya finishing with figures of 4/109. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in reply, with Dinusha scoring 100 and Dickwella contributing 80. Suthar took 4/76 and Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3/57, leaving India with a first-innings lead of 178 runs.