Devdutt Padikkal concluded a significant innings in the opening Test against Sri Lanka, scoring 167 runs off 230 balls in Galle. The India batter, who achieved his maiden Test century on Day 1, continued his performance on the second day, reaching his first Test score exceeding 150. His innings included 15 fours and one six, contributing to India maintaining a strong position despite rain interruptions.
Padikkal‘s achievement places him in an exclusive group of Indian batters. With his score of over 150, he became only the third Indian batter to score 150 or more against Sri Lanka from the No. 3 batting position. He joins Rahul Dravid, who made 177 in Ahmedabad in 2009, and Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 153 in Galle in 2017.
Padikkal’s dismissal and team’s progress
The Sri Lankan team secured a crucial breakthrough when Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Padikkal. Padikkal advanced down the pitch, but Jayasuriya responded by delivering a quicker, flatter ball around the off stump. Padikkal missed the ball, allowing wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella to collect it and dislodge the bails. The 24-year-old received a standing ovation from the crowd in Galle and applause from his India teammates as he departed the field.
Padikkal was given the No. 3 role following an injury to Sudharsan. His maiden century also marked him as the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day. Additionally, he became the second Indian cricketer, after Virat Kohli, to achieve an international century on August 15.
The second day’s play experienced a delay of approximately four and a half hours due to rain, with further weather disruptions affecting the match. Once play recommenced, India faced challenges, losing Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.
Post-resumption wickets and late innings play
Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 39 runs off 62 balls, caught by Sonal Dinusha at short mid-off while attempting a shot off Keshara Nuwantha. KL Rahul, who had retired hurt with cramps on Day 1, returned to bat but was unable to convert his start into a century. He was out for 82 runs off 175 balls, with Nishan Fernando taking a catch at short leg off Nuwantha.
Sri Lanka continued to take wickets during the late stages of the innings. Suthar, who contributed 24 runs, was caught by a fielder at long-on off Jayasuriya. This wicket marked Jayasuriya‘s fourth of the innings, continuing his strong performance in Galle. India‘s tailenders were seen attempting to score runs quickly.
Prasidh Krishna began his innings with a single. Kuldeep then reverse-swept the spinner for two runs, bringing India‘s total to 450. Kuldeep scored another single before Prasidh defended the final ball of the over. Fernando bowled from the other end, delivering a short ball down the leg side that Kuldeep missed. However, Kuldeep later connected with a pull shot, sending the ball for a four.
Kuldeep then took a single on the off-side. Prasidh was struck on the pads by a full delivery, failing to get his bat down in time. Sri Lanka reviewed the decision, but the ball was determined to be missing the leg stump. Jayasuriya bowled the final over of the day. Kuldeep got a leading edge on the second ball, which went over the bowler and landed safely. The left-hander then lofted the next ball powerfully over mid-off for a boundary before defending another flighted delivery. Kuldeep missed a sweep shot and was struck on the body by the final ball of the day, concluding the second day’s play with India at 460/9 at stumps.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
