India clinches dominant 165-run win in Galle, Rahul hails confidence boost

India wrapped up the opening Test in Galle with a 165-run win, giving them a 1-0 advantage over Sri Lanka and setting the tone for the tour. Vice-captain KL Rahul described the result as a confidence-building milestone, especially after recent struggles with spin at home. He noted that the victory will be valuable for the next Test in Colombo and the forthcoming home series against Australia.

Rahul praised teammate Devdutt Padikkal for his first Test hundred, calling it the defining innings of the match. He also mentioned that careful analysis of prior Sri Lankan encounters helped him decide when to attack or defend. The team aims to carry this momentum into future challenges in spinning conditions.