Padikkal Hits Back-To-Back Tons As India Reach 300/5 Against Sri Lanka

Devdutt Padikkal struck a superb 117, his second successive Test century, to help India recover from a difficult opening day and reach 300 for five against Sri Lanka in the second and final Test here on Sunday.

Padikkal, playing only his fourth Test, produced a composed innings under demanding conditions at the SSC. His 168-ball knock came after India lost wickets at regular intervals and Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the forearm by pacer Lahiru Kumara.

The left-hander received early slices of luck, being dropped on zero and one, but made Sri Lanka pay. He reached his half-century from 90 balls and gradually took control despite the challenging pitch, which offered bounce and movement to the pacers while also giving spinners some assistance.

Padikkal was particularly impressive against the short ball, either evading it or working it around the field, while using a solid defensive technique against the spinners. He reached his century by first driving Prabath Jayasuriya for a boundary to move to 99 before taking a single two balls later.

He removed his helmet and briefly raised his bat in celebration before returning to the task. However, Nuwantha eventually breached his defence, ending a remarkable innings after Padikkal had taken India to safer ground.

Earlier, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill all made promising contributions but failed to convert them into big scores. Rahul made a patient start before edging Kumara to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, although he had earlier launched Jayasuriya for a six.

Jaiswal scored 45, displaying greater restraint against the cut shot that has troubled him previously. He struck two successive boundaries off Kumara and produced a fine cover drive before Asitha Fernando bowled him with a sharp nip-backer. Fernando then gave Jaiswal a send-off, prompting a brief exchange before Dhananjaya de Silva intervened.

Gill looked fluent on his way to 50, including a fine short-arm pull, but also fell to Fernando after edging to Dickwella.

Padikkal later shared a 74-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who was struck on the forearm by Kumara and developed visible swelling. Jadeja was eventually bowled by Fernando.

At stumps, Dhruv Jurel (7) and debutant Saransh Jain (4) remained unbeaten, leaving India reasonably placed after a demanding first day.