Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat first.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. Devdutt Padikkal was included in the India XI for the No. 3 spot, while Keshara Nuwantha made his Sri Lanka Test debut.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a solid start, adding 47 runs for the first wicket. Jaiswal looked good for his 32 runs with five fours, but got run out in an unfortunate manner. Then KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal added an unbeaten 150 runs for the second wicket.
KL Rahul retired hurt for 77 with 9 fours and one six, while Padikkal went on to hit his maiden century in Tests for India. Padikkal reached his fifty in 81 balls, and as Rahul played anchor, the Karnataka batter took advantage at the other end.
Padikkal reached his maiden Test century with 9 fours and one six to his name off just 134 balls.
Shubman Gill had a short stay, falling for 16 runs, but Rishabh Pant kept Padikkal company until stumps. Pant made 27* with 3 fours and one six, while Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 with 12 fours and one six, as India made 288/2 at stumps on day one.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for Devdutt Padikkal and his knock and lauded him on social media.
Here are the posts: