India vs Sri Lanka XI: Padikkal 142 Headlines Strong Batting Reply

Devdutt Padikkal produced a commanding century while Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar also made valuable contributions as India closed the second day of their three-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI on 357/6, just six runs behind the hosts’ declared 363/8.

With the warm-up designed to give India’s Test-bound players time in Sri Lankan conditions, the second day offered several encouraging signs despite a handful of early wickets.

Devdutt Padikkal makes compelling case with unbeaten 142

Padikkal was the standout performer of the day, finishing unbeaten on 142 off 164 balls.

The left-hander initially retired out after reaching his century, having struck a pull through midwicket to bring up three figures. He later returned to the crease in the final session and continued his impressive innings, showing the control and patience required in Test cricket.

His century came after a 96-run partnership with KL Rahul, who made 40 off 67 balls before being bowled by spinner Kesara Nuwantha.

Padikkal then added 72 with Jadeja before the all-rounder also retired out on 63.

The 25-year-old’s innings comes at an important time, with India still assessing their batting combinations ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15.

Jadeja, Suthar provide valuable batting time

Jadeja used his opportunity well, scoring 63 from 117 deliveries in an innings that combined patience with controlled aggression.

He later retired out to allow India’s lower order to spend time at the crease, with Manav Suthar also making the most of his opportunity.

The left-arm spinner scored a useful 41 off 90 balls before being dismissed leg before wicket.

Saransh Jain contributed 22 off 45 balls before retiring out, while Gurnoor Brar provided the day’s late entertainment.

Coming in towards the end, Brar smashed 36 off just 18 balls, including four sixes, three of which came in the final over from left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera.

Jaiswal, Pant and Jurel fail to capitalise

Not everyone in India’s batting lineup was able to make an impression.

Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to just one off the second ball of the innings, slicing a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando straight to backward point.

Rishabh Pant’s stay was even shorter. Looking to attack immediately, he charged spinner Ramesh Mendis but sliced his lofted shot to mid-off for just two runs.

Dhruv Jurel also departed for one, edging a ball off Mendis onto the shoulder of the short-leg fielder, who reacted quickly to complete the catch.

The early dismissals meant India were briefly 180/5 after Padikkal retired, before Jadeja and Suthar steadied the innings.

India use warm-up to test batting depth

The unusual pattern of multiple batters retiring out was clearly part of India’s preparation strategy rather than a conventional attempt to win the tour match.

Padikkal, Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain all retired out to ensure more members of the squad received meaningful time in the middle.

Kuldeep, who had spent the opening day making an impact with the ball, batted for 15 deliveries and scored one before returning to the pavilion.

India’s bowlers had earlier restricted Sri Lanka Cricket XI to 363/8 after the hosts resumed on their overnight score and declared on Saturday morning.

Jadeja, Kuldeep and Suthar claimed two wickets each.

With India ending the day only six runs behind and still having Gurnoor Brar at the crease alongside Padikkal, the visitors have already achieved much of what they wanted from the second day: substantial time in the middle for several players ahead of the two-Test series.

The first Test begins in Galle on August 15, with the second Test scheduled for Colombo from August 23.