Rahul hails Paddikal, Suthar after India's win

KL Rahul believes Devdutt Padikkal’s composed knock of 167 was the ‘defining’ innings in India’s 165-run win in Galle, helping them make crucial gains in the ICC World Test Championship.

Batting first in the series opener, India were able to amass 462 runs, thanks to Padikkal’s maiden Test hundred.

"I think that innings was the defining part of this Test match,” Rahul said after the game. 

“The tempo that he batted with and to go on and get a big 100 in the first innings really set up the game for us. The conditions were really hot and it was challenging physically as well.

"So that was really pleasing and someone who I've played a lot of cricket with and seen him grow up and come from Bangalore and play for Karnataka. 

“I was really happy to be there and to see and to witness his first 100. Hopefully, he carries this confidence into the next game and into his best career as well."

Padikkal was named the Player of the Match in what was his third Test appearance for India. Also, a key contributor was Manav Suthar, playing only his second Test for India.

Suthar snapped a total of 10 wickets, which included a six-wicket haul in the second innings to help fold the hosts for 206 on Day 5. 

"I think he's very consistent from the same place, just using subtle variations he's able to do that through the day,” Rahul said of Suthar.

“So, the batters will also think that if he's not moving then I'll have to do something so when you get a batter in that sort of mindset you'll win the contest.

"Hopefully, he'll just keep getting better but I think his greatest thing is his pace that he bowls at and his consistency to always challenge all modes of dismissal because the line that he bowls can be LBW and if there's a little turn, it can be caught behind. So, that's a special skill to have," the vice-captain explained.”

Suthar already boasts 17 Test wickets for India, having made his debut back in June during the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

The win in Galle helped put India’s WTC campaign back on the track following the home series defeat against South Africa last year.

Rahul believes the win will instill confidence in the team ahead of the series decider in Colombo starting August 23. 

"I think this victory will obviously give a sense of happiness and also give us the confidence going into the next game (at Colombo) and also we have a big home series coming up in India next year (vs Australia),” he said.

"So just understanding batting against spin and playing in spinning conditions is something that we've all been working on. So from that point of view, it gives us a lot of happiness." 

Series schedule

First Test: August 15-19, Galle

Second Test: August 23-27, Colombo