India batter Devdutt Padikkal produced a timely century on Day 2 of the ongoing three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Saturday, August 8. The left-handed batter reached the milestone in style, smashing a powerful pull through the leg side off Ramesh Mendis.
The boundary came off the fourth delivery of the 40th over and took Padikkal to his hundred from 121 balls, with 14 fours. He retired out immediately after completing the century, allowing other members of India’s batting lineup to get valuable time in the middle.
Padikkal’s knock could prove important for his chances of securing a place in India’s playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, beginning August 15. With Sai Sudharsan reportedly ruled out of the two-Test series due to a toe injury, the Karnataka batter has strengthened his case for the No. 3 position.
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The 26-year-old has played two Tests for India so far, scoring 90 runs in three innings at an average of 30.00. His highest score in the format is 65, while he also has one half-century to his name.
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Sri Lanka Cricket XI won the toss and elected to bat first before declaring their innings at 363/8 after 90 overs. India suffered an early setback in reply when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a two-ball duck.
KL Rahul and Padikkal then steadied the innings with a 96-run partnership from 138 deliveries. Rahul scored 40 off 67 balls before being dismissed, while Padikkal continued to dominate the bowling attack and completed his century.
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India’s wicketkeepers, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, failed to make a significant impact. Pant was dismissed for two off five balls, while Jurel managed only one run from nine deliveries. At the end of 50 overs, India were 180/5, still 183 runs behind Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Ravindra Jadeja was unbeaten on 29 off 67 balls, with Manav Suthar on three.
