Galle: Devdutt Padikkal’s sophisticated 167 was the centrepiece in India’s strong 460 for nine at stumps despite the Sri Lankan spinners growing fangs on a truncated second day of the first Test in Galle Sunday.
Kuldeep Yadav (12) and Prasidh Krishna (1) were batting at close.
Rains of varying intensity and the resultant wet outfield delayed the start of the day’s play until 2.35 pm, and the long break seemed to have rejuvenated the Lankans more.
The home bowlers produced better lines and lengths than day one, cutting down the scoring areas of Indian batters, who resumed from a far stronger 288 for two.
It was the perfect launching pad to be in a far healthier position, but the tourists lost seven wickets – some to the Lankan spinners’ guile and some to their own indiscretions – for 172 runs.
Padikkal, who started from 131, brought up his maiden 150 in 215 balls when he pulled pacer Asitha Fernando for a boundary.
However, before the left-hander reached his landmark, India had lost the other overnight batter Rishabh Pant for 39.
Pant seemed impatient to stamp his authority over the bowlers, but the overzealousness ended his stint, as a feeble loft off off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha was snaffled by a running-in Sonal Dinusha.
KL Rahul, who had to retire on 77 because of cramps the previous day, walked in next but could only add four more runs to his overnight score.
Rahul failed to negotiate the turn and bounce from Nuwantha, giving a simple catch to Nishan Madhushka at short leg.
Capturing two big wickets by giving away just 12 runs put a spring on Lankan bowlers’ steps and the hosts added the big wicket of Padikkal at the stroke of tea to further boost their standing.
The left-hander was deceived on flight by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayarsuriya and stumper Niroshan Dickwella did the rest. However, the bigwigs will be delighted to see the way Padikkal responded to the task of occupying a crucial slot like No. 3.
It has given them another option even when original resident Sai Sudharsan returns from his toe injury.
India went to tea at 364 for five, and needed a few more runs to really pull away from Sri Lanka.
Ravindra Jadeja was trapped leg before by Nuwantha immediately after the break, leaving India at 377 for six.