Devdutt Padikkal’s commanding knock puts India in control of warm-up match against Sri Lanka

Team India staged a solid turnaround on Day 2 as their batters, led by Devdutt Padikkal, tore through every obstacle in Colombo to put India firmly in command.

After Sri Lanka posted 363/8 in the first innings before declaring, the Indian bowlers had intermittent moments of dominance. Braces from Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar didn’t let Sri Lanka run away with the initiative.

India had an early hiccup to deal with as Yashasvi Jaiswal had to return for a silver duck. Then the Indian rebuild began with the duo of Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul coming together. The two added 96 runs for the second wicket, with Rahul (40) getting a fine start before Keshara Nuwantha broke through his guard.

Ravindra Jadeja walked in next and joined DDP to add 72 runs for the third wicket before the latter decided to retire out. He brought up an excellent century off just 121 balls, anchoring the innings to perfection before heading back to the pavilion for a brief break.

However, once Padikkal retired, Sri Lanka had a brief window of opportunity, claiming two quick wickets in the form of Rishabh Pant (2) and Dhruv Jurel (1) in a span of 14 balls. Despite the jitters in the middle, India found stability in an incoming Manav Suthar.

Suthar and Jadeja hunkered down to work and showed great control in another 82-run stand, as India’s fears of a possible collapse were allayed. Suthar departed for a well-orchestrated 41. Mohammed Siraj (1) couldn’t trouble the scorers much, and it briefly looked like India might be in for trouble.

With Jadeja retiring for 63, DDP walked back to the middle and started exactly from where he left off. Saransh Jain (22) retired while Padikkal controlled the tempo of the innings perfectly. Padikkal’s languid brilliance kept the Indian innings in motion, an incoming Gurnoor Brar walked in with the mood for slaughter.

At the end of the day, India posted 357/6, with Brar staying unbeaten on 36 off just 18 balls while Padikkal remained in the middle on 142.

Brar struck Dilum Sudeera for four sixes in the final over of the day, propelling India within touching distance of Sri Lanka’s first innings score.

Match summary:

Sri Lanka – 363/8 dec (Ravindu Rasantha – 71, Manav Suthar – 2/33)

India – 357/8 (Devdutt Padikkal – 142*, Asanka Manoj – 2/32)

India trail by six runs