Padikkal hundred helps India to 300-5 against Sri Lanka
COLOMBO: Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal’s fine form continued as he scored 117 to help India reach 300-5 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.
In the opening day of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo, India posted 300-5 at stumps, thanks to the century scored by Devdutt Padikkal. Padikkal, who replaced an injured player, had earlier scored 167 and 44 in the first Test, winning the Man of the Match award in Galle. However, he faced two early drops during his 117-run innings in Colombo.
Despite the drops, Padikkal added 120 runs for the third wicket along with Shubman Gill. Gill moved down to number four after becoming the team captain, making Padikkal a strong candidate for the role. Sri Lanka's seamers, led by Asitha Fernando, were the standout performers with figures of 3-46. Fernando dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and later Gill.
Ravindra Jadeja was also dismissed by Fernando on the second new ball. Debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain and Dhruv Jurel contributed with scores of 4 and 7 not out, respectively. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant had to retire hurt after being struck on his left forearm while trying to pull Lahiru Kumara. Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, highlighting the seamers' ability to create scoring opportunities.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak felt the team lost two wickets they shouldn't have, but overall, they are content with the current state of affairs.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
