Temperatures kept soaring, conditions were extreme, and players were exhausted to the core by the end of Day 1, which saw Devdutt Padikkal smash his second consecutive hundred, Shubman Gill notch up a hard-fought half-century before getting out, and failures from the openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Things started much as they had in Galle. India won the toss, opted to bat first, and Padikkal went on to top-score with a hundred. This was his third ton in three innings. His first came for the NCC in the practice game, which gave him a lot of confidence before he went on to score 167 in Galle and now another hundred at the SSC. Padikkal’s character was thoroughly tested in this innings. India lost early wickets in the first session, and there was pressure on Padikkal when he walked out. Given that he had won the Player of the Match award, he was expected to score runs, and he delivered in grand style. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, especially the pacers, kept challenging him with different plans, but he had answers ready. Apart from the first session, the spinners did not trouble him much until he got out to a ripper from Keshara Nuwantha. He was given a couple of reprieves by the Sri Lankan fielders, and he made the hosts pay. He was involved in a 120-run partnership with Gill, who scored 50. Both batters battled the conditions and the bowling throughout the second session before the Indian captain lost his wicket at the stroke of tea.
Gill, after doing a lot of hard work, gifted his wicket by playing a needless shot. That shot looked like it came from a batter who was tired.
Post-tea, a fiery Lahiru Kumara hit Pant, forcing him to retire hurt. Kumara delivered a sharp short ball, prompting Pant to attempt the pull, but he could only glove the delivery. As the ball trickled towards the fine-leg region, Pant immediately showed signs of discomfort, having seemingly taken the impact on his wrist. The physio quickly came onto the field with an ice pack to limit any swelling. After a prolonged stoppage, Pant’s wrist was briefly taped, but the support was soon removed. After the umpire spoke to him, Pant was unable to continue and left the field retired hurt.
In an unfortunate turn of events at the start of the day, Jaiswal was involved in a heated altercation with Asitha Fernando, who had dismissed the India opener. This was something that should not have happened in the first place.
The SSC pitch so far has been very good for the fast bowlers in terms of the bounce they are getting. There has been extra carry from the surface, and it has helped both the pacers and the spinners on what have largely been good conditions for batting.
In the closing stages of the day, Asitha removed Ravindra Jadeja, who was struggling with his hand. Jadeja’s dismissal brought debutant Saransh Jain to the crease. He will resume tomorrow with Dhruv Jurel at the other end.
Brief score: India 300/5 (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Shubman Gill 50; Asitha Fernando 3/46) vs Sri Lanka at stumps on Day 1
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