India, Aug. 15 -- By the time tea arrived, KL Rahul had done something that doesn't always receive enough credit in present day Test cricket - he had quietly weaponised patience. Yashasvi Jaiswal had already brought his own rhythm to the partnership, and Devdutt Padikkal had contributed in a manner more naturally aligned with the tempo of modern Indian batting.

And in keeping with his temperament, Rahul was anchoring India's batting through the first two sessions on a Galle pitch that historically behaves the best on the first day.

He absorbed the early movement and the long spells of spin, allowing the more expansive batters around him to play their games without making every attacking stroke carry the burden of holding the innings tog...