By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Sri Lanka took five Indian wickets while the visitors reached 300 on the opening day of the second Test at the SSC grounds yesterday. The hosts will point to Asitha Fernando’s three wickets as a key factor, but they also missed two chances early that might have put India under more sustained pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal, who had been reprieved twice at scores of 0 and 1 — chances put down by Sonal Dinusha at backward point and Dhananjaya de Silva at slip — made Sri Lanka pay. He finished on 117 off 193 balls, with 12 fours, his second century of the series. Padikkal and Shubman Gill added 120 for the third wicket before the partnership ended in the penultimate ball before tea when the Indian captain played a loose cut and was out for 50 (108 balls, 6 fours).
Rishabh Pant faced one ball before tea and survived a strong lbw appeal; Hawk-Eye ball-tracking showed the ball would have missed leg stump. On the resumption Pant was struck on the wrist and was forced to retire hurt. Keshara Nuwantha produced the delivery that ended Padikkal’s innings. Ravindra Jadeja batted hard but was dismissed late in the day to Asitha Fernando, departing for 43 when his stumps were disturbed after he shouldered arms.
Dhruv Jurel looked steady during his 41-minute stay at the crease and will be required to hold one end if Pant does not return. Fernando’s three wickets kept Sri Lanka in the contest; the bowlers must make the most of the second new ball when it becomes available if India are to be prevented from posting a much larger total.
Openers Lokesh Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal both got starts but failed to convert them into big scores in a relatively even opening session. After India chose to bat, the pair negotiated the first hour without serious alarm. Rahul looked set but chased a delivery outside off from Lahiru Kumara and edged it to the wicketkeeper just before the first drinks break.
Jaiswal took an aggressive line and struck three boundaries in an over from Fernando, only to be bowled in the same over for 45 (53 balls, 9 fours). There was a heated exchange between Jaiswal and Fernando during that over; match referee Andy Pycroft is expected to examine the footage and decide whether any further action is needed.
