Ravindra Jadeja produced a crucial breakthrough for India on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, dismissing the well-set Pasindu Sooriyabandara for 80. The veteran all-rounder celebrated the wicket passionately as India continued to tighten their grip on the contest after declaring their first innings at 503/9. Jadeja struck on the final delivery of the 45th over. He bowled a slightly fuller delivery around the off stump, prompting Sooriyabandara to play at it without enough conviction.
The batter managed only a thick inside edge, with the ball deflecting onto his back thigh before rolling back onto the stumps. As the ball hit the stumps, Jadeja immediately turned towards Sooriyabandara with his arms spread wide in celebration. The wicket ended a crucial resistance from the Sri Lankan batter and gave India another important opening in their push for victory.
Sooriyabandara’s dismissal also broke a developing partnership with Sonal Dinusha. The pair had added 34 runs from 61 deliveries for the sixth wicket, but Jadeja’s timely intervention left Sri Lanka struggling at 171/6 in response to India’s imposing first-innings total.
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The wicket was particularly significant for Jadeja after a relatively modest outing in the first Test at Galle. He scored only 13 and 9 in India’s two innings and finished with three wickets for 57 runs in the first innings. His second-innings figures were less impressive, as he managed just one wicket for 71 runs.
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Jadeja, however, responded strongly in Colombo with an important contribution with the bat. Promoted to No. 6, the left-hander scored a valuable 43 off 83 balls, hitting four boundaries. He also shared a crucial 74-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal for the fifth wicket, helping India build towards their imposing total.
The all-rounder has also maintained excellent control with the ball in the second Test. At the time of his breakthrough, Jadeja had figures of 1/17 from seven overs, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 2.4.
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With Sri Lanka losing wickets regularly, India will look to Jadeja to continue applying pressure alongside the other bowlers. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball could prove vital as India target a 2-0 series clean sweep.
