Kolkata, Aug. 16 -- The sun played hide and seek as rain came and went at Galle on Sunday, teasing both teams before scuppering the chance of a full day's play. When the light finally faded on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, India were 460/9, a substantial total although it would not have felt as big as it would have at the start of the day.

The reason was Sri Lanka's response. After being put under sustained pressure on the opening day, their bowlers discovered discipline, length and, increasingly, a method. India added 172 runs from the 43 overs available, but lost seven wickets in the process. The scoreboard tells a story of accumulation, but the day itself was about resistance. And Devdutt Padikkal was at the cent...