Khawaja’s Maiden Double Century Dominates Galle Test

Australian opener Usman Khawaja etched his name in the history books with a monumental unbeaten 204 on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. His innings was not only his first Test double century but also the highest Test score by an Australian batter on Sri Lankan soil, surpassing the previous record. With his sheer resilience and elegant stroke play, Khawaja spearheaded Australia’s batting dominance, as they piled on 475/3 at Lunch, tightening their grip on the match.

A Solid Foundation Laid on Day 1

Khawaja and Steve Smith had already asserted Australia’s dominance on Day 1, forging a commanding partnership after the early loss of Marnus Labuschagne. The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to create opportunities, resorting to negative tactics by bowling outside leg stump in the final session. However, Australia remained unshaken, ensuring that they carried momentum into Day 2.

Khawaja and Smith Continue to Dictate Terms

When play resumed on the second morning, Sri Lanka introduced a new approach, shifting their line to outside off stump with the fresh ball. Yet, Khawaja and Smith remained unfazed, carefully accumulating runs in the first hour to settle in before shifting gears. Khawaja, who had already crossed the 150-run mark, played with remarkable patience, timing his shots to perfection.

The duo targeted Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Nishan Peiris, refusing to let him settle. Khawaja capitalized on anything loose, while Smith showcased his attacking prowess by stepping down the track and lofting a few exquisite drives over extra cover. The aggressive intent ensured the scoreboard kept ticking, putting further pressure on the already struggling Sri Lankan bowlers.

Smith Falls, But Australia Remains Unstoppable

Despite their struggles, Sri Lanka finally found some respite after Drinks when Jeffrey Vandersay produced a moment of magic to dismiss Steve Smith for 141. The leg-spinner had set him up brilliantly—first drawing a false shot with a sharply turning delivery before trapping him LBW with one that held its line. Smith’s dismissal ended a mammoth 266-run third-wicket partnership, giving Sri Lanka a much-needed breakthrough.

However, Smith’s departure did little to slow down Australia. Debutant Josh Inglis walked in with confidence, getting off the mark with a flick to the boundary. He immediately looked comfortable at the crease, rotating the strike well and capitalizing on loose deliveries. The partnership between Inglis and Khawaja flourished, with boundaries flowing freely.

Usman Khawaja’s Moment of Glory

As Australia continued their dominance, all eyes were on Khawaja, who was inching towards a historic milestone. With a single off Prabath Jayasuriya, he reached his maiden Test double century, raising his bat and helmet in celebration as the crowd acknowledged his remarkable feat. His innings was a masterclass in patience, temperament, and stroke-making, further solidifying his status as one of Australia’s most reliable batters in recent years.

Sri Lanka’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities

Sri Lanka had a tough time on the field, not only failing to pick up regular wickets but also missing a few chances. A run-out opportunity to dismiss Khawaja was squandered when he lazily wandered outside his crease. Later, Inglis survived a close call after attempting a premeditated reverse sweep, which nearly chopped back onto his stumps.

With Australia’s lead swelling past 450, Sri Lanka desperately needed breakthroughs, but they lacked the firepower to trouble the well-set batters.

Australia Firmly in Control

By Lunch, Khawaja and Inglis had stitched together an unbeaten 74-run stand, with Australia marching towards a mammoth first-innings total. The scoreline of 475/3 reflected their sheer dominance, leaving Sri Lanka with an uphill task for the remainder of the match.

Brief Scores:

Australia 475/3 (Usman Khawaja 204, Steve Smith 141, Travis Head 57; Jeffrey Vandersay 1-93, Prabath Jayasuriya 1-102) vs Sri Lanka*

With the pitch showing signs of wear and spin likely to play a greater role as the game progresses, Australia is well-positioned to dictate terms in the coming sessions. Khawaja’s innings will be remembered as one of the finest by an Australian batter in the subcontinent, showcasing his adaptability and class on turning tracks. Now, the focus shifts to whether Australia can extend their dominance further and put Sri Lanka under significant scoreboard pressure.