Devdutt Padikkal struck his second Test century in as many matches to steer India to a commanding position of 300 for 5 on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC Ground in Colombo. Opting to bat after captain Shubman Gill won the toss, India weathered a disciplined Sri Lankan pace attack and blistering heat. Padikkal made the hosts pay for two early dropped catches, anchoring the innings with a patient 117 off 193 deliveries.
India’s day was built on structured partnerships, starting with a aggressive 45 from Yashasvi Jaiswal before he fell to Asitha Fernando. Padikkal then joined forces with skipper Gill to build a crucial 120-run stand for the third wicket, with Gill reaching his half-century shortly before being caught behind. The visitors faced a mid-innings setback when Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after taking a sharp delivery to his forearm from Lahiru Kumara. However, Ravindra Jadeja stepped in with a solid 43 to support Padikkal in a 74-run fifth-wicket recovery.
Sri Lanka’s pacers kept the battle competitive in the final session. Keshara Nuwantha breached Padikkal’s defense to claim his maiden Test wicket, while Fernando returned with the new ball to clean bowl Jadeja, ending the day with figures of 3 for 46. At stumps, debutant Saransh Jain and Dhruv Jurel held the fort, leaving India well-placed to press for a dominant first-innings total on Day 2.
