Colombo: Sri Lanka were badly troubled by India’s spinner Manav Suthar, who took 10 wickets in the first Test in Galle, while Devdutt Padikkal was the key batsman behind Sri Lanka’s defeat. Therefore, the hosts were expected to keep a close check on Padikkal in the second and final Test that began in Colombo on Sunday. However, after giving him two early lifelines, first on zero and then on one, Sri Lanka effectively put themselves in trouble. India finished the opening day on 300 for five. Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on seven and debutant spin-bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain was on four. Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt after suffering an injury, is likely to return to bat on Monday.
Fast bowler Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 46 runs. None of the hosts’ seven bowlers could prevent India from reaching the 300-run mark.
Padikkal Becomes the Saviour in Only His Fourth Test
When K. L. Rahul was dismissed for 18 on Sunday, Padikkal came in at No. 3. Just as he was settling in at the crease, he was given a life first on zero and then again on one. Those two mistakes proved costly for Sri Lanka. Padikkal, who scored 117 off 193 balls with 12 fours, never looked back and went on to smash his second consecutive Test century. This is only his fourth Test, yet he has already become his team’s saviour in two successive matches. In the first Test in Galle, he was named Player of the Match after scoring 167 and 44. During his innings on Sunday, he also needed treatment from the physiotherapist at one stage because of pain in his shoulder muscles.
When an in-form batsman is given not one but two consecutive lifelines, he is hardly likely to let the opportunity go to waste. Padikkal once again converted his chance into a timely century, and his performance helped India reach 300 for five at the end of the opening day. Padikkal shared a 29-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, a valuable 120-run stand with captain Shubman Gill, who scored 50 off 108 balls with six fours, and a 74-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who made 43 off 83 balls with four fours.
Saransh Begins International Career with a Boundary
Saransh Jain, who began his international career at the age of 33, struck a boundary off the very first ball he faced after coming in to bat. Sri Lanka will particularly need to be wary of Saransh’s off-spin.