Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo

Colombo, Aug 23: Captain Shubman Gill and Devdutt Padikkal struck contrasting half-centuries as India seized control of the second Test against Sri Lanka, before Asitha Fernando's late breakthrough left the match delicately poised at tea on the opening day at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground on Sunday.

India reached 187/3 in 52 overs at tea, with Padikkal unbeaten on 63 and Rishabh Pant yet to open his account. Gill's dismissal for 50 ended a flourishing 120-run third-wicket partnership off 209 balls.

Resuming after lunch on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers, Gill and Padikkal steadily frustrated the Sri Lankan attack. Padikkal, dropped on nought and tested early with short-pitched deliveries, settled into his innings with a range of drives, pulls and cuts.

He brought up his half-century from 90 balls, striking a boundary through the covers off Prabath Jayasuriya. The pair then completed their century partnership from 168 deliveries as Sri Lanka's spinners resorted to deliveries down the leg side in an attempt to test the batters' patience. Several wides forced the spinners to return to a more competitive line.

Gill, who had scores of just 16 and eight in the series opener in Galle, looked increasingly fluent. He reached his ninth Test half-century and first in Sri Lanka from 99 balls, bringing up the milestone with a single through fine leg.

However, just when India appeared set for a wicketless session, Fernando struck against the run of play.

The Sri Lankan pacer bowled a length delivery wide of off stump, prompting Gill to slash loosely. The India captain edged behind to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who held the catch at the second attempt.

Fernando came close to another wicket immediately afterwards when he struck Pant low on the pad with a full, inswinging delivery. Sri Lanka's loud lbw appeal was rejected, with replays indicating that the ball would have passed the leg stump.

Padikkal, whose unbeaten 63 includes seven boundaries, remained composed as India retained the upper hand at the interval. With Pant at the crease, India will look to consolidate their strong position in the remainder of the day's play.

Brief scores: India 187/3 in 52 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 63*, Shubman Gill 50; Asitha Fernando 2-34, Lahiru Kumara 1-33) against Sri Lanka.