SL vs IND: Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel take India past 450 as Sri Lanka claw back in Galle

Sri Lanka made a good comeback on Day 2 of the first Test at Galle International Stadium, as they managed to scalp seven wickets, leaving India on 460/9 at stumps with Kuldeep Yadav (12*) and Prasidh Krishna (1*) at the crease after rain washed out most of the proceedings.

Devdutt Padikkal added to his overnight score, playing a brilliant innings of 167 (180), laced with 15 fours and a six, while KL Rahul missed out on his well-deserved century, getting dismissed for 82. Prabath Jayasuriya (4/109) and Keshara Nuwantha (3/175) were the destroyers in chief for the hosts, taking three wickets each in the day.

After the entire first session was washed out, India resumed their innings on 288/2 with Rishabh Pant (27*) and Padikkal (131*) at the crease. The duo took their 52-run stand forward as Pant began in his usual fashion, smashing Prabath Jayasuriya for a boundary in the first over of the day.

The duo took India’s score past 300 before Pant (39) holed out to mid-off, giving Keshara Nuwantha his maiden Test wicket. KL Rahul walked in at number five after retiring hurt on 77 on Day 1. Nuwantha got himself into a good rhythm after his maiden wicket, troubling Rahul with his variations, who never looked comfortable after returning to the crease.

Padikkal continues to pile on runs

He eventually perished on 82 after playing Nuwantha straight into Nishan Fernando’s hands at short leg. At the other end, Padikkal was at his fluent best, bringing up his 150 with a glorious boundary against Asitha Fernando. He became the third Indian to notch up a 150-plus score against Sri Lanka batting at number three after Rahul Dravid (2009) and Cheteshwar Pujara (2017).

Devdutt Padikkal’s marvellous knock was finally brought to an end by Prabath Jayasuriya, who got him stumped on 167. India finished the second session on 364/5 after scoring 76 runs and losing three wickets with Ravindra Jadeja (4*) and Dhruv Jurel (19*) at the crease. 

Jurel and Suthar's crucial stand helps India cross 450

Nuwantha continued his wicket-taking spree in the third session, getting rid of Ravindra Jadeja, trapping him in front of the stumps on 13 (25). Amid the barrage of wickets, Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar took the attack back on the Sri Lankan bowlers, adding 55 runs for the seventh wicket off 66 balls and taking India’s score past 400.

Jurel brought up his second Test half-century after getting a reprieve on 29 by Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva. He eventually redeemed himself, with a one-handed stunner at slip to send Jurel on his way back to the pavilion on 51 (68).

Suthar also lost his wicket on 24, caught at long-on against Jayasuriya, while Mohammed Siraj (11 off 15) threw his bat around to add some quick runs before falling prey to Asitha Fernando. India lost four wickets in the third session, scoring 96 runs and finishing the day on 460/9.