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Again, KL Rahul missed a century by only a few runs. The century against Sri Lanka would have been an appropriate reward for him today in Galle, after all the pain he experienced the previous day, on the opening day of the match and two-match series.
Rahul was dismissed for 82 runs, missing out on a Test ton by only 18 runs. It is not the first time the right-hander has been dismissed in the 80s or 90s. He was shaking his head in disbelief while walking off the crease. The fielder at short leg left the batter clueless.
Sri Lanka dismiss KL Rahul following proper planning
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team followed a pattern of field set to counter Rahul. Their skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva, continued to place a fielder on short leg. On Day 1, at the beginning of the Test, when he first introduced the spin against Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, it came with a short leg. The fielder at short leg was precisely for the experienced Indian batter.
Rahul survived Day 1; Nishan Madushka survived a blow as well. A powerful sweep hit right in the middle of Nishan's helmet. He had to leave the field as a precautionary measure. KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 after suffering severe cramps and muscle spasms in his hands and legs.
"He was getting cramps. By the end of the day, he was fine. He looks absolutely fine. He should be okay to bat tomorrow," Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak informed the media.
KL Rahul deserved a century in the first innings of the India vs Sri Lanka Test match in Galle
Rahul resumed batting with the same tempo on Day 2, looking balanced enough to claim the second century of the match for India, after Devdutt Padikkal. When the stage was all set to welcome a fighting and equally graceful century from his bat, Rahul fell for the trap set by Keshara Nuwantha. The Indian batter's innings concluded off 175 balls with ten 4s and one 6.
It was the fifth time Rahul was dismissed on 80s in the format, while he lost his wickets on 90s twice for the team in the Whites.
List of the occasions when Rahul was dismissed in 80s or 90s in Test matches:
90 vs Australia (Bengaluru, 2017)
85 vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele, 2017)
84 vs England (Nottingham, 2021)
86 vs England (Hyderabad, 2024)
84 vs Australia (Brisbane, 2024)
90 vs England (Manchester, 2025)
82 vs Sri Lanka (Galle, 2026)*
KL Rahul getting out on 80s/90s in Test
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 16, 2026
90 vs Australia (Bengaluru, 2017)
85 vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele, 2017)
84 vs England (Nottingham, 2021)
86 vs England (Hyderabad, 2024)
84 vs Australia (Brisbane, 2024)
90 vs England (Manchester, 2025)
82 vs Sri Lanka (Galle, 2026)*#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/C5dvL2jJSp
Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul stitched a crucial partnership for India
The Indian cricket team lost their fourth batter in the innings with the departure of Rahul. In exchange for 4 wickets, the visitors were on 319 runs. Dhruv Jurel walked into the crease to provide Devdutt Padikkal support.
Rahul and Padikkal stitched a 162-run partnership in the match against 273 balls. Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for 160 runs, playing 230 deliveries.
