GALLE — Devdutt Padikkal's long wait for a breakthrough in Test cricket finally turned into a statement innings, and KL Rahul believes the left-hander's success at the Galle International Cricket Stadium is the reward for years of quiet work behind the scenes.

Padikkal produced a magnificent 167 in the first Test against Sri Lanka — his maiden Test century — as India posted 462 all out in their first innings on Day 3. The left-hander's marathon knock, in just his third Test appearance, stood out as India built a commanding total despite rain interruptions and a late fightback from Sri Lanka's spinners.

Speaking in a video posted by the BCCI, Rahul revealed that Padikkal had spent the last couple of years patiently waiting for his opportunity while working on his game.

"In the last couple of years he's been waiting for his opportunity and quietly toiling in the nets and trying to get better at some aspects of his batting," Rahul said.

Ready for the opportunity

Padikkal's preparation for the Sri Lanka tour began well before the first Test. He had represented India A in Sri Lanka and also scored a century in the warm-up game, giving him valuable exposure to the conditions. Rahul said those experiences, combined with their conversations, helped Padikkal understand what would be required once he got his chance at the highest level.

"He's someone who's come here before, scored some runs in India A as well. So just getting used to the condition, he scored 100 in the warm-up game as well. He's been amongst runs, he's someone who loves batting and scoring big runs," Rahul added.

Padikkal walked in after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early and gradually took control of the innings. He combined patience with elegant strokeplay, eventually reaching his maiden Test hundred and continuing all the way to 167 — his highest score in the format. His innings included 15 fours and a six.

'Very important to get that early in your career'

For Rahul, the significance of Padikkal's hundred goes beyond the numbers. He believes getting a first Test century early in a career can remove a major psychological barrier and allow a batter to play with greater freedom.

"I'm really happy that he could get the first hundred and that's really special for everybody and very important to get that early in your career so you can get that out of the way and then start enjoying your cricket and start enjoying your batting and take your batting to the next level," Rahul said.

"I think he's at a stage where he understands his batting really well and he's scoring lots of runs so I think he'll make that move into scoring bigger knocks for India and being more consistent," Rahul added.

Spinners turn the tide

India eventually finished on 462 in 116.4 overs, taking a substantial advantage into Sri Lanka's first innings. Their progress was far from smooth, however — on a heavily rain-curtailed Day 2 India lost seven wickets for 172 runs, with Sri Lanka's spinners finally finding their bite.

The 'King of Galle', left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, finished with 4/109 in 39 overs while debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha claimed 3/175 in 39 overs, the pair accounting for seven of India's wickets. Rishabh Pant made 39 before stepping out and miscuing a flighted delivery from Nuwantha, and Rahul, who had retired hurt on 77 with cramps, added only five further runs before falling to the debutant.

Ravindra Jadeja fell lbw for 13 to Nuwantha, unsuccessfully reviewing the decision. A fluent 51 from Dhruv Jurel — his second Test half-century and first in eight innings — ensured India crossed the 450-mark despite Sri Lanka's late fightback, with Rahul contributing 82.

Padikkal's 167 is the fourth-highest Test score by an Indian batter in Sri Lanka. The match was poised with India firmly in command at 460/9, awaiting the declaration, before the final total reached 462.