Padikkal's 117 Drives India to 300-5 Against Sri Lanka
📣 ARTICLE HEADLINE
Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal scored 117 runs to propel India to 300-5 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday. The performance anchors the Indian team’s top-order structure, stabilizing the visitors after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first.
Asitha Fernando Strikes Three Times After Early Dropped Catches
Padikkal capitalised on early fielding errors by Sri Lanka, surviving two missed chances in the opening overs of his innings. Sonal Dinusha dropped him at backward point before he scored, and Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva spilled a slip catch when the batter was on two. Padikkal capitalized on the reprieves, building a 120-run partnership for the third wicket alongside Gill before off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha ended his innings.
Sri Lanka seamer Asitha Fernando proved the most effective bowler of the day, finishing with figures of 3-46. Fernando dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 43 in the morning session, following the wicket with a heated exchange between the two players. He struck again by catching Gill behind as the Indian captain slashed at a moving delivery, then took a third wicket with the second new ball by bowling Ravindra Jadeja.
India sustained an injury disruption when wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant retired hurt after taking a blow to his left forearm while attempting to pull a short delivery from Lahiru Kumara. At the close of play, debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain was unbeaten on four alongside Dhruv Jurel on seven. Umpires called play after 85 of the scheduled 90 overs were completed.
Sri Lanka altered their starting lineup for the match, handing opening batter Kamil Mishara his Test debut in place of Nishan Fernando. Pasindu Sooriyabandara also featured in the starting eleven after operating as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal during the series opener.
Padikkal entered the lineup as a late injury replacement ahead of the tour, having previously scored 167 and 44 in the first Test to earn Man of the Match honours during India’s 165-run victory in Galle.
