India vice-captain KL Rahul said the team’s 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test has strengthened its confidence ahead of the second match in Colombo.
India took a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series after controlling the contest in Galle. Rahul said the result was particularly satisfying because the team had worked extensively on handling spin, an area that had caused difficulties in recent home series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Rahul said India successfully addressed several areas discussed before the Test and adapted well to challenging conditions in Sri Lanka. He explained that preparing for spin-friendly surfaces requires understanding when to attack, when to absorb pressure and when to remain cautious. According to Rahul, studying previous matches played in similar conditions helped him and the team develop a clearer batting approach. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Colombo on August 23.
The 34-year-old batter also highlighted the importance of preparation before a Test series. Rahul said he had spent time working specifically on his game against spin at a private facility in Mumbai before travelling to Sri Lanka. He credited his work with coaches for helping him develop clarity about how he wants to construct an innings and counter different types of bowlers. He added that physical preparation, mental readiness and understanding conditions allow him to remain calmer once the match begins.
Rahul was particularly pleased with the contribution of Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal, who scored his maiden Test century in the first innings. He described Padikkal’s hundred as one of the defining moments of the match, saying the batter’s positive tempo helped India establish control. Rahul noted that the conditions were physically demanding, with the heat adding to the challenge, making Padikkal’s long innings even more significant for the team’s first-innings total.
Having watched Padikkal progress through the Karnataka cricket system, Rahul said he was happy to witness the youngster reach his first Test hundred. He expressed hope that the century would give Padikkal confidence for the remainder of the series and help him build a successful international career. Padikkal’s performance provided India with an important contribution in a match where the visitors needed their batters to deal effectively with Sri Lanka’s spin attack.
Rahul said India will look to build on the confidence gained from the Galle victory when the teams meet in Colombo. He also pointed to next year’s home series against Australia as another major assignment for which the team can benefit from improving its approach against spin. For now, India will aim to maintain its momentum and complete a series victory in the second Test, while Sri Lanka will look to level the series on home soil.