Colombo, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Devdutt Padikkal continued his impressive form with a second consecutive Test century as India reached 300/5 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Sunday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India were well placed to post a substantial first-innings total, with Padikkal’s 117 and Shubman Gill’s 50 providing the foundation. Sri Lanka fought back late with the second new ball, but India retained the advantage at the close of play.
Padikkal, who was dropped twice early in his innings, showed remarkable composure to register his second Test hundred in successive matches. His 117 included 12 boundaries, with cuts behind square proving particularly effective against the Sri Lankan spinners.
Gill, meanwhile, struck his ninth Test half-century and his first in Sri Lanka, scoring 50 off 108 balls with six boundaries. The India captain had struggled in the opening Test in Galle, managing scores of 16 and eight, but looked assured in Colombo before Asitha Fernando dismissed him late in the second session.
India lost KL Rahul for 18 after he edged Lahiru Kumara behind, while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 45 before being bowled by Fernando. The dismissal was followed by a heated exchange between Jaiswal and the Sri Lankan pacer before Dhananjaya de Silva intervened.
Padikkal and Gill then steadied the innings, putting together a century stand before Fernando ended Gill’s resistance. Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on his left wrist by a Kumara bouncer, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed a valuable 43.
Padikkal eventually fell to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who beat his back-foot defence with a quicker delivery to hit the off-stump. Jadeja was then dismissed for 43 by Fernando with the second new ball.
Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on seven, while debutant Saransh Jain was not out on four after cutting his first Test delivery to the boundary. Jain’s boundary also took India to 300 in the final over.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers worked hard in hot and humid conditions, with Fernando returning figures of 3-46, but India ended the day in a position of relative strength.
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