Devdutt Padikkal continued his impressive run of form with a second successive Test hundred as India finished the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on 300 for 5 at the SSC in Colombo.
Padikkal produced a composed 117, building important partnerships throughout the innings. He added 120 with Shubman Gill before combining with Ravindra Jadeja for another 74. At stumps, debutant Saransh Jain was unbeaten on 4 alongside Dhruv Jurel on 7.
Sri Lanka faced a demanding day after losing the toss and being sent into the field in hot and humid conditions. Asitha Fernando delivered the strongest bowling performance, claiming 3 for 46, while Lahiru Kumara and Keshara Nuwantha took one wicket each.
Kumara caused problems with his pace and short pitched bowling. Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the forearm, while Jadeja also received a blow in the same area. Jadeja continued batting but later struggled with cramps before Asitha bowled him.
Padikkal had some fortune early in his innings. He survived two difficult catching opportunities while still on one before settling into his rhythm. Sri Lanka eventually removed him when Nuwantha delivered a quicker ball that straightened and hit off stump.
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill all made promising starts but were unable to convert them into substantial scores. Jaiswal attacked the seamers positively before Asitha found an inside edge onto the stumps, while Rahul and Gill were dismissed after edging deliveries outside off stump.
India struck 36 boundaries during the day and regularly used their feet against Sri Lanka’s spinners.
With the SSC surface expected to remain favourable for batting during the first few days before offering greater assistance to spin, India will look to build a sizeable first innings total when play resumes.
