India 105/2 as Gill, Padikkal rebuild innings in Colombo Test

India moved to 105 for 2 after 30 overs on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, crossing the 100-run mark.

Captain Shubman Gill, on 23, and Devdutt Padikkal, unbeaten on 18, have steadied the innings following the early loss of both openers.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 45 off 53 balls when an Asitha Fernando delivery curved back in and found an inside edge onto the stumps.

KL Rahul had gone earlier for 18 off 33 balls, edging a short, wide delivery from Lahiru Kumara behind to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Padikkal, who struck a century in the first Test at Galle, survived a couple of early scares before finding his rhythm alongside his captain.

India carry a 1-0 series lead into the match after their 165-run win at Galle, with a positive result in Colombo enough to seal the series.

Debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain, who came in for Kuldeep Yadav, is yet to bat as India’s middle and lower order remain in the pavilion.

The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo is hosting the second and final Test of the series, running from August 23 to 27.

Sri Lanka’s playing XI for the Test includes uncapped opener Kamil Mishara, with Dhananjaya de Silva captaining the side in place of the unavailable Dinesh Chandimal.

India had lost both openers cheaply earlier in the day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal out for 45 off 53 balls and KL Rahul dismissed for 18 off 33 balls.

Jaiswal’s dismissal came off an Asitha Fernando delivery that curved back in and found an inside edge onto the stumps, while Rahul edged a short, wide ball from Lahiru Kumara behind to the keeper.

Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a century in the first Test at Galle, survived a couple of early scares before settling into his innings alongside Gill.

Photo by Bollywood Hungama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0