KL Rahul, India's vice-captain, emphasizes the uniqueness of each Test win following a 165-run triumph in Galle.

India's vice-captain KL Rahul expressed his satisfaction following the team's impressive 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test match, emphasizing that the win has significantly bolstered their confidence in navigating spin-friendly conditions. The match, which took place over five days, allowed India to take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second Test set to commence in Colombo on August 23.

Rahul conveyed his happiness regarding the victory, noting that every Test win holds special significance. He remarked on the importance of returning to Sri Lanka after a considerable hiatus, highlighting that many players were experiencing the conditions for the first time. "I wouldn't say sigh of relief, just happy because every Test match victory is special. Coming back to Sri Lanka after a long time, so, a lot of the guys haven't been here and so it's a great start to the tour," he stated. He also mentioned that the team had successfully addressed most of the objectives they had set prior to the match.

Having faced difficulties against spin bowling in recent home matches, India demonstrated improved performance against Sri Lankan spinners. Rahul believes that this victory will serve as a confidence booster for the upcoming Test and the significant home series against Australia next year. "This victory will obviously give a sense of happiness and also give us the confidence going into the next game in Colombo," he noted. He emphasized the importance of understanding how to bat against spin and adapting to spinning conditions, which the team has been diligently working on.

Rahul attributed part of his success to thorough preparation, which included analyzing past matches involving Sri Lanka to refine his approach to batting under pressure. "I've always liked doing that and taking those walks is a big part of my preparation. Yes, not always will you get success, but I think that’s the bare minimum someone playing at this level can do before coming for a Test series," he explained.

In addition to discussing the team's performance, Rahul praised his Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal for achieving his maiden Test century, describing it as a pivotal moment in India's victory. "I think that innings was, for me, the defining part of this Test match. 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," he remarked. Rahul expressed hope that Padikkal would carry this newfound confidence into the next Test and throughout his career.