India opener KL Rahul produced an early statement of intent on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, smashing spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for the first six of the day. The shot came at the Sinhalese Sports Club as India looked to build a strong start after winning the toss.
The moment arrived during the third delivery of the 10th over. Jayasuriya bowled a full-length delivery, but Rahul immediately stepped out of his crease, reached the pitch and lofted the ball straight over the bowler’s head. The shot sailed into the sightscreen for a clean six.
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India captain Shubman Gill elected to bat after winning the toss, while the visitors made one change to their playing XI. Uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain received his maiden Test cap after Kuldeep Yadav was ruled out due to illness. Sri Lanka also handed a Test debut to 25-year-old batter Kamil Mishara.
When KL Rahul decides to charge, there’s no backing down! 💥🚀
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Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul initially gave India a steady start, putting together 17 runs in the opening five overs. Rahul eventually fell in the 11th over, scoring 18 from 33 deliveries, including two boundaries and the six against Jayasuriya. Lahiru Kumara claimed his wicket.
The same over also produced a major reprieve for India. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a century in the first Test, was dropped by Sonal Dinusha on his first ball. After 14 overs, India were 68/2, with Shubman Gill yet to open his account and Padikkal batting on four.
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India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
