Picture Credit: BCCI
Devdutt Padikkal’s sublime run of form continued in Colombo on Sunday, a second successive Test hundred carrying India to 300/5 in 85 overs at stumps on the opening day of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, though Sri Lanka struck back late with the second new ball.
India batted first after winning the toss. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul put on 37 before Rahul, set up by short-pitched bowling, nicked a lazy cut off Lahiru Kumara to fall for 18.
Padikkal’s start was jittery: dropped at backward point off Kumara before opening his account, and reprieved again when captain Dhananjaya de Silva shelled a regulation slip chance.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, took three consecutive boundaries off Asitha Fernando before being castled for 45 on the final ball of that over.
The send-off sparked an ugly face-to-face exchange involving shoving and a headbutt against Jaiswal’s helmet — something that could invite a hefty fine from match referee Andy Pycroft.
Once settled, Padikkal became a calming presence, judging length early and playing late off the back foot. His cuts, the most productive shot of his day, brought up a fifty off 90 balls and later the hundred off Prabath Jayasuriya.
Shubman Gill, who managed 16 and eight in Galle, made his ninth Test fifty off 99 balls before edging Fernando behind.
Rishabh Pant retired hurt after a Kumara bouncer struck his left wrist; his availability remains uncertain.
Padikkal, on 117 with 12 fours, undone by a 91kph quicker one from Keshara Nuwantha.
Ravindra Jadeja, battling left-arm cramps, made 43 before Fernando’s inswinger breached his defence.
Debutant Saransh Jain and Dhruv Jurel closed unbeaten on four and seven.
Brief Scores
India 300/5 in 85 overs (Padikkal 117, Gill 50; Fernando 3-46, Kumara 1-38) against Sri Lanka.
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