Devdutt Padikkal scored a superb 117 to keep India in the game on a difficult opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on SundayIndia ended the day at 300/5, with Dhruv Jurel on 7 and debutant Saransh Jain on 4.
Padikkal’s 168-ball knock was his second century in as many TestsUnlike his 167 in Galle, this was a much harder hundredThe Sinhalese Sports Club pitch offered bounce and movement, while the heat and humidity made batting even more difficult.
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IND Vs SL, 2nd Test: Devdutt Padikkal smashes back-to-back tons to put India in driving seat
Padikkal also had some luck early in his inningsHe was dropped when he was on 0 and again on 1He made the most of those chances and stayed at the crease for most of the day.
India had lost KL Rahul early after he scored 24Rahul had looked solid and even hit Prabath Jayasuriya for a six, but he edged Lahiru Kumara to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella while attempting a square cut.
Yashasvi Jaiswal then made 45 and looked set for a bigger scoreHe avoided the cut shot that has caused him problems before and played some good strokes, including two boundaries off Kumara and a fine cover drive against JayasuriyaAsitha Fernando, however, produced a delivery that came back sharply and went through Jaiswal’s defence.
Padikkal then combined with captain Shubman Gill to steady the inningsThe pair added 120 runs for the third wicketGill reached his half-century but was dismissed for 50 after edging Fernando behind the stumps.
Rishabh Pant then had to retire hurt after being hit on the forearm by KumaraHe managed only three runs and his departure left India with another problem in the middle order.
Padikkal continued to take the attack onHe reached his half-century from 90 balls and then grew more comfortable at the creaseHe dealt with the short balls by getting out of the way or working them around the field, while he used a straight bat against the spinners.
He reached his century by driving Jayasuriya for a four before taking a single two balls laterPadikkal took off his helmet and raised his bat as the Indian dressing room applauded.
Ravindra Jadeja then joined him and the pair added 74 runs for the fourth wicketJadeja also took a blow on his forearm from Kumara and was left with a visible swellingHe was eventually bowled by an in-ducker from Fernando for 29.
Padikkal’s resistance finally ended when Keshara Nuwantha went through his defenceBy then, however, the Karnataka batter had taken India to a much safer position.
India will start day 2 from 300/5 Dhruv Jurel and debutant Saransh Jain on the creaseThe day will start from 10:00AM (IST) onwards.
