Padikkal ton, Gill fifty help India end Day 1 at 300/5 against Sri Lanka in second Test

Devdutt Padikkal's magnificent century and a composed half-century from skipper Shubman Gill helped India overcome early setbacks and take control of the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Colombo SSC Ground on Sunday. After opting to bat first, India were reduced to 66/2 in the morning session, but Padikkal and Gill stitched together a crucial 120-run partnership to steady the innings. Padikkal went on to score 117 off 193 balls, while Gill contributed with a fifty before India finished the day at 300/5 after 85 overs. After resuming the post-Tea session at 187/3, India began cautiously and reached 201/3 at the end of 56 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at the crease. However, India suffered a setback in the 58th over when Pant was hit on his wrist by Lahiru Kumara's first delivery. The wicketkeeper-batter was seen in discomfort and was forced to retire hurt, with Ravindra Jadeja coming out to bat in his place. After the end of 62 overs, the visitors reached 222/3. On the final ball of the 70th over, Padikkal brought up his second Test century, reaching the milestone in 168 deliveries. It was also his second hundred of the ongoing series. Padikkal was given two early reprieves after being dropped on 0 and 1, but he capitalized on the chances and looked in excellent touch thereafter. His century helped India strengthen their position, taking the score to 259/3. The last instance of an India No. 3 registering hundreds in back-to-back away Tests had come during the BGT 2018/19 - Cheteshwar Pujara - 106 & 0 at MCG, followed by 193 at SCG. The visitors reached 277/3 after the conclusion of 75 overs. On the second delivery of the 77th over, Keshara Nuwantha provided Sri Lanka with a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Devdutt Padikkal. The left-handed batter walked back after a brilliant innings of 117 runs off 193 balls, including 12 boundaries. At the end of the 80th over, India had moved to 291/4. On the first delivery of the 85th over, Asitha Fernando dismissed Jadeja after clean bowling him for 43 runs off 83 balls, including four boundaries. However, India quickly reached the 300-run mark in the same over, with debutant Saransh Jain, who came in after Jadeja's departure, hitting a boundary off the third ball. The visitors ensured there were no further setbacks as they ended Day 1's play at 300/5 after 85 overs. The score marked one of their stronger opening-day totals in recent away Tests in Sri Lanka. In their last six Tests in Sri Lanka where at least 50 overs were bowled on the opening day, India had posted 319/6 in Colombo PSS in 2015 (won), 399/3 in Galle in 2017 (won), 344/3 in Colombo SSC in 2017 (won), 329/6 in Pallekele in 2017 (won), 288/2 in Galle in 2026 (won), and 300/5 in Colombo SSC in 2026. Earlier in the day, Padikkal and skipper Gill struck half-centuries to put India in a commanding position before Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando dismissed Gill late in the second session on D