By Dwayne Ferreira.
Devdutt Padikkal century powers India to 300/5 in Colombo as Asitha Fernando takes three wickets to keep Sri Lanka fighting.
COLOMBO — Devdutt Padikkal continued his remarkable tour of Sri Lanka with a second successive Test century as India reached 300 for five at stumps on an absorbing opening day of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Sunday.
However, Sri Lanka refused to allow the visitors to completely dictate proceedings. Led by an impressive Asitha Fernando, who finished with 3 for 46, the hosts struck at crucial moments and will believe they remain firmly involved in the contest despite Padikkal’s outstanding 117.
India, already 1-0 ahead in the two-Test series after their 165-run victory in Galle, won the toss and elected to bat first.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal negotiated the early movement to put on 37 for the first wicket before Lahiru Kumara provided Sri Lanka with the breakthrough. Rahul, who had looked settled, attempted a cut and edged behind to Niroshan Dickwella for 18.
Padikkal Survives Early Scares
Sri Lanka then had opportunities to remove Padikkal almost immediately.
The left-hander was reprieved twice while on scores of zero and one, but the hosts were unable to convert either difficult opportunity. It proved expensive.
Having survived, Padikkal settled into another composed innings following his superb 167 in the first Test at Galle.
Jaiswal meanwhile moved fluently to 45 before Asitha produced a sharp delivery that breached his defence.
The dismissal also produced a heated moment between the pair. Words were exchanged after Asitha’s send-off, with Jaiswal turning back towards the Sri Lankan fast bowler before captain Dhananjaya de Silva intervened and cooled the situation.
At 83 for two, Sri Lanka had an opening.
Instead, Padikkal and Indian captain Shubman Gill rebuilt the innings.
The pair added 120 runs for the third wicket, gradually shifting the pressure back onto the Sri Lankan attack.
Gill reached his half-century but departed almost immediately afterwards, edging Asitha behind to Dickwella for 50 from 108 balls.
Padikkal, however, continued.
Back-to-Back Hundreds for Padikkal
Having passed fifty from 90 deliveries, Padikkal became increasingly assured against both pace and spin.
He eventually completed his century from 168 balls, reaching three figures for the second Test in succession.
His innings finally ended at 117 from 193 balls, including 12 boundaries, when Keshara Nuwantha breached his defence.
It was another significant statement from a player who was initially brought into the side following Sai Sudharsan’s injury but has rapidly strengthened his claim to India’s No. 3 position.
India suffered another concern when Rishabh Pant was struck on the forearm by a Lahiru Kumara delivery and was forced to retire hurt on three.
That placed further responsibility on Ravindra Jadeja.
Jadeja contributed an important 43 from 83 balls and shared a 74-run partnership with Padikkal before Sri Lanka found another opening late in the evening.
With the second new ball in hand, Asitha produced one of the day’s most important breakthroughs when Jadeja misjudged an incoming delivery and left it, only to see his off stump knocked back.
Asitha Keeps Sri Lanka Fighting
That wicket reduced India to 296 for five and completed an excellent day’s work for Asitha, whose 3 for 46 from 16 overs ensured Sri Lanka remained within touching distance.
Dhruv Jurel finished unbeaten on seven, while Test debutant Saransh Jain was four not out after scoring his first Test runs with a boundary.
India ended on 300 for five from 85 overs.
While 300 represents a strong first-day total, Sri Lanka can take encouragement from the fact that India were unable to completely break away.
The SSC surface also offered considerably less turn than Galle during the opening day, making the efforts of Sri Lanka’s seamers particularly important.
For Sri Lanka, the equation on Day Two is straightforward: remove India’s remaining recognised batting quickly and prevent the tourists from transforming 300 for five into a total beyond 400.
India, meanwhile, will hope Pant is fit enough to return and that Jurel and the lower order can stretch their advantage.
Day One Score
India 300/5 (85 overs)
(Devdutt Padikkal 117, Shubman Gill 50, Yashasvi Jaiswal 45, Ravindra Jadeja 43, KL Rahul 18)
Asitha Fernando 3/46
Lahiru Kumara 1/38
Sri Lanka yet to bat
India lead the two-Test series 1-0.
