Padikkal stands tall as India reach 300/5 on a day of setbacks in Colombo

Devdutt Padikkal produced a remarkable 117 to rescue India from a day of mounting setbacks, guiding them to 300 for five at stumps on the opening day of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Sunday. Playing only his fourth Test, the Karnataka batter showed tremendous composure on a surface that offered enough bounce and movement to keep the Sri Lankan bowlers interested throughout.

A century built on circumstance

The left-hander's 117 off 193 balls was worth far more than the score suggested. Padikkal was not at his most fluent, with his innings containing only occasional glimpses of the elegant strokeplay associated with him, but the value of his knock lay in the circumstances. He was dropped on both zero and one — Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva put down a chance at backward point off Keshara Nuwantha when Padikkal was on one — yet refused to let those reprieves affect his concentration.

He reached his half-century from 90 balls, bringing up the landmark with a four off Prabath Jayasuriya, and moved into the nineties with a drive for four before nudging the spinner towards long-on for a single to reach three figures. “The helmet came off and the bat was raised towards the sky in celebration, but there was little time for prolonged emotion,” the batter immediately refocused on taking India to a position of safety. His stay finally ended when Nuwantha pushed one through his defence and bowled him, but by then the heavy lifting was done.

His form has been a major positive for India. Drafted in at No. 3 in place of Sai Sudharsan for this series, Padikkal has now amassed 328 runs in three innings at an average of 109.33, following scores of 167, 44 and 117. He had also scored an unbeaten century in the warm-up game, strengthening his case to retain his spot when Sudharsan returns. The century was markedly different from his previous Test hundred at Galle, where the surface offered relatively little challenge; the SSC pitch demanded patience and technical discipline, and Padikkal responded superbly against both pace and spin.

Jaiswal and Gill set the platform, then fell

India had appeared well placed when Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill combined for a 120-run partnership for the third wicket. Jaiswal looked increasingly assured, resisting the temptation to play the cut shot that has contributed to his dismissals in the past, and struck Lahiru Kumara for two successive boundaries before producing a superb cover drive against Jayasuriya. Gill was equally smooth, reaching his half-century with several attractive strokes, including a short-arm pull off Jayasuriya for four.

But both fell just when India appeared ready to build a commanding position. Jaiswal was beaten by a superb nip-backer from Asitha Fernando after scoring 45, while Gill edged Fernando through to Niroshan Dickwella after making 50. Their departures meant India once again had to rebuild, leaving Padikkal to shoulder an increasingly important responsibility in the middle order.

Jaiswal-Fernando flashpoint draws Jadeja warning

Jaiswal's heated on-field confrontation with Fernando drew criticism from former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja, who warned the young opener that physical contact crosses a dangerous line. Fernando responded to Jaiswal's dismissal with a send-off, prompting the India opener to turn around and confront the bowler. The exchange escalated, with the two players trading words before coming face-to-face; Jaiswal's helmet made contact with Fernando's forehead, and there was also a push before Dhananjaya de Silva and other players intervened.

Injuries pile pressure on India

The situation became more difficult when Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the forearm by Kumara, managing only three runs before the blow. Later, Ravindra Jadeja also suffered a blow to his forearm from Kumara, with visible swelling appearing on the veteran all-rounder's arm. Jadeja nevertheless battled on and added 74 runs with Padikkal for the fourth wicket before Fernando eventually found his way through the left-hander's defence. With wickets falling and Pant unable to continue, Padikkal was effectively forced into the role of firefighter despite having only three Tests of experience behind him.

Kotak dismisses Kuldeep 'fake illness' talk

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak firmly dismissed speculation surrounding Kuldeep Yadav's absence from the Colombo Test, insisting the left-arm wrist spinner was genuinely down with viral fever. “If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn't play, there is no need to fake that he wasn't keeping well,” Kotak said, stressing that Kuldeep was unfit to take the field.

Stumps

By the close, Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on seven and debutant Saransh Jain on four, with India having negotiated a demanding day against a spirited Sri Lankan attack led by the disciplined Kumara and Fernando. Despite the setbacks, India will take satisfaction from reaching 300 for five, largely because Padikkal ensured the pressure never became overwhelming.