India vice-captain KL Rahul expressed great satisfaction after the team's emphatic 165-run victory against Sri Lanka in the opening Test at Galle International Stadium.

Despite entering the two-match series with a bruised ego following home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, Shubman Gill’s men showed tremendous resilience to conquer the spin-friendly conditions in Galle.

Rahul noted that the win significantly boosted team morale for navigating spin-heavy pitches, especially crucial ahead of their next Test in Colombo and a major home series against Australia next year.

"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, lot of the guys haven't been here and so it's a great start to the tour. I think we ticked most of the boxes that we spoke about before the Test," Rahul said in the post-match presser.

"I think this victory will obviously give a sense of happiness and also give us the confidence going into the next game (at Colombo) and also we have a big home series coming up in India next year (vs Australia).

"So just understanding batting against spin and playing in spinning conditions is something that we've all been working on. So from that point of view, it gives us a lot of happiness,” he added.

Rahul, who returned with scores of 82 and 35 across the two innings, attributed his success to intensive training against spin at a private facility in Mumbai. He also emphasized that knowing when to absorb pressure versus when to attack brings stability to his performance.

"I think even before the series, how well prepared you are gives you the best chance to do well in any condition, whether it's in India or outside.

“Watching some of the games that have been played in Sri Lanka and what phase of the game as a batter do you get runs, what phase of the game do you have to soak in the pressure, when do you have to attack, when do you have to be cautious.

"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 stated.

Rahul felt the ideal preparation before the series kept him in a calm space. "I think most of the work is how I've prepared before coming into a Test series and that's something in the last few years I think I've paid a lot of attention to. Whether it's mental make-up or whether it's doing the physical hours and whether it's batting, preparing in a way where the conditions will be suitable to where I'm going.

"So, I've done that and worked really hard with my coaches back home and that has given me clarity in the way I want to play, in the way I want to build in innings and how I want to counter certain type of bowlers, how I want to play in seaming conditions or spinning conditions or a good wicket. I carry that calmness,” he explained.

Rahul lauded his state-mate Devdutt Padikkal, terming the southpaw’s masterful first-innings century as the defining innings of the match.

"I think that innings was, I think 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. The conditions were really hot and it was challenging physically as well.

"So that was really pleasing and someone who I've played a lot of cricket with and seen him grow up and come from Bangalore and play for Karnataka. I was really happy to be there and to see and to witness his first 100. Hopefully, he carries this confidence into the next game and into his best career as well,” he remarked.

Coming to the match, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 in their second innings on Day 5, chasing a target of 372 runs.

After racking up 462 in their first innings on the back of Padikkal’s 167, India bundled out Sri Lanka for 284, gaining a substantial 178-run lead. Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the undisputed star with the ball for the tourists, bagging a historic 10-wicket match haul (4/76 and 6/55) to rattle the hosts.

In their second innings, India were bowled out for 193 runs. Combined with their massive first-innings lead, they set Sri Lanka a daunting target.

(With PTI Inputs)