Introduction
India ended a rain-affected Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in a commanding position, but there was still one small job left unfinished. With the score at 460/9, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna remained together at the crease. For Winbuzz followers, the last-wicket pair offered India an opportunity to squeeze a few more valuable runs from an innings already built around Devdutt Padikkal’s outstanding 167.
How India Reached 460/9
India had been 288/2 before Sri Lanka’s spinners fought back strongly on the second day. Prabath Jayasuriya took four wickets, while debutant Keshara Nuwantha claimed three as India lost wickets regularly during the latter stages of the innings.
Still, several useful contributions kept the visitors firmly ahead:
- Devdutt Padikkal scored 167
- KL Rahul contributed 82
- Dhruv Jurel made a quick 51
- Kuldeep Yadav reached stumps unbeaten on 12
- Prasidh Krishna was unbeaten on 1
Rain also interrupted play for several hours, preventing either side from completing as many overs as originally expected.
Why the Last-Wicket Partnership Mattered
At 460/9, India already had an imposing first-innings total. However, Test cricket often shows that even 15 or 20 extra runs from the final pair can become important later.
Kuldeep and Prasidh therefore had a simple task heading into Day 3: survive, frustrate Sri Lanka and add whatever runs were available.
Their priorities included:
- Protecting their wickets early
- Taking singles when possible
- Punishing loose deliveries
- Making Sri Lanka bowl extra overs
- Pushing India closer to or beyond 475
For users following developments through Winbuzz login, this was a good example of why lower-order batting can influence the direction of a Test match.
Kuldeep Showing Growing Confidence With the Bat
Kuldeep is primarily selected for his wrist-spin, but his batting has become increasingly useful in Test cricket.
He ended Day 2 on 12 from 13 deliveries, showing that he was prepared to score rather than simply defend.
In a match where India were already strongly positioned, a positive contribution from Kuldeep could force Sri Lanka to spend more time in the field before beginning their own first innings.
That can matter in Galle, especially when bowlers have already completed long spells.
What Could Prasidh Krishna Contribute?
Prasidh’s role at the crease was much simpler. He needed to remain with Kuldeep for as long as possible.
Lower-order players do not need to produce technically perfect innings. Sometimes their biggest contribution is simply surviving enough deliveries to allow the more comfortable batter to score at the other end.
Prasidh finished Day 2 unbeaten on one, having faced four balls.
India’s Bigger Day 3 Challenge
The last-wicket partnership was only the first part of India’s Day 3 plans.
Once their innings ended, attention would quickly turn toward the bowling attack. Dhruv Jurel said after Day 2 that India’s focus was on scoring at a sensible rate and then finding a way to take 20 Sri Lankan wickets.
India’s bowlers needed to:
- Strike with the new ball
- Create pressure before Sri Lanka settled
- Bring the spinners into the game
- Use the Galle surface effectively
- Avoid allowing long partnerships
Those tracking the contest through Winbuzz live would therefore have plenty to watch once Sri Lanka began their reply.
How Day 3 Actually Began
India eventually added only two more runs on the third morning and were dismissed for 462, with Prasidh becoming the final wicket.
However, the size of India’s first-innings total immediately placed Sri Lanka under pressure. By lunch on Day 3, the hosts had slipped to 99/5 in reply.
That showed why building a large first-innings score had been so important.
Conclusion
Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna may have been India’s final batting pair, but their presence at stumps represented another chance to extend Sri Lanka’s workload and strengthen an already impressive total.
The partnership itself did not last long on Day 3, yet India’s 462 gave their bowling attack a substantial platform. For cricket followers using Winbuzz login, the focus then shifted from the final-wicket pair to whether India’s bowlers could turn that scoreboard pressure into wickets. Winbuzz live followers quickly saw exactly that, with Sri Lanka losing five wickets before lunch.
FAQs
What was India’s score at the end of Day 2?
India finished Day 2 on 460/9 in their first innings at Galle.
How many runs did Kuldeep Yadav have at stumps?
Kuldeep was unbeaten on 12 from 13 balls at the end of Day 2.
What was Prasidh Krishna’s score?
Prasidh was unbeaten on one at stumps before being dismissed on the third morning.
Who was India’s highest scorer?
Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 167, his maiden Test century.
What was India’s final first-innings total?
India were eventually bowled out for 462 on Day 3.
