Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo
Colombo, Aug 8: Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal strengthened his case for a place in India’s playing XI for the first Test with a fluent unbeaten 142 on day two of the warm-up clash against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Ground here on Saturday.
With regular top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the opening Test and remaining a major doubt for the second Test due to a right big-toe injury, Padikkal made the most of his opportunity. He dominated the hosts’ bowling attack, scoring his runs off 164 balls with 18 boundaries.
Ravindra Jadeja also spent considerable time at the crease, scoring 63, while Manav Suthar contributed 41. Gurnoor Brar provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 36 off just 18 balls, including two fours and four sixes, as India reached 357/6 in 90 overs — just six runs short of Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s declared total of 363/8.
India suffered an early setback in the morning session when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening over. The left-hander pushed at a wide delivery from left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando and offered a catch at gully.
Padikkal walked in under pressure but quickly shifted it back onto the hosts. Displaying sound technique, he struck several fluent drives and put together a crucial 96-run partnership with KL Rahul, who scored 40, to steady the innings.
Rahul showed patience, leaving the ball well and waiting for loose deliveries before dispatching them to the boundary. Following a brief interruption due to a passing shower, he was dismissed by off-spinner Kesara Nuwantha while attempting a slog sweep.
With Padikkal driving and cutting confidently and Jadeja looking in good touch, India moved past the 150-run mark with ease before Padikkal brought up his century. He then retired out on 103 to give the other batters an opportunity to spend time in the middle.
India subsequently suffered a brief wobble. Rishabh Pant fell while attempting a big shot against Ramesh Mendis, while Dhruv Jurel was caught by the wicketkeeper.
Jadeja and Suthar then settled in, with the former bringing up his half-century. Suthar, meanwhile, displayed solid forward-defence skills against the spinners as the pair shared a 76-run partnership.
Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav later retired out, while Suthar was trapped lbw and Mohammed Siraj fell to a simple caught-and-bowled dismissal.
Saransh Jain retired out after scoring 22 off 45 balls, but Padikkal continued to bat fluently and found the boundaries at a brisk pace.
Gurnoor, after initially being troubled by the bouncers, hit Mendis over long-off before taking on Dilum Sudeera and smashing four sixes to provide India with a strong finish.
The impressive batting display comes ahead of India’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Galle on August 15.
With Sudharsan unavailable, Padikkal’s rich vein of form provides head coach Gautam Gambhir with a reliable like-for-like option at the crucial No. 3 position.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: 363/8 declared in 90 overs (Ravindu Rasantha 71, Nishan Madushka 66; Manav Suthar 2/33, Ravindra Jadeja 2/64).
India: 357/6 in 90 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 142 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 63; Asanka Manoj 2/32, Ramesh Mendis 2/77).
Sri Lanka Cricket XI lead by 6 runs.