
Devdutt Padikkal struck an unbeaten 142 to lead India's recovery on Day 2 of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo on Saturday. India finished at 357 for 8…
Devdutt Padikkal struck an unbeaten 142 to lead India's recovery on Day 2 of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo on Saturday. India finished at 357 for 8 in 90 overs, replying to the hosts' 363 for 8. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 63 (retired out) and Manav Suthar made 41. The century, built on 18 fours, comes after first-choice No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the Test series with a toe injury.

Rishabh Pant fell cheaply for 2 off 5 balls, chipping an off-spinner to mid-off. Dhruv Jurel managed only 1. The warm-up also saw a light moment when Pant playfully ran his fingers over a support staff member's bald head. The first Test begins at Galle later this week.

The Padikkal versus Pant narrative is already being painted: one prepared, the other reckless. But a single warm-up knock proves neither. Pant's shot selection was poor, yet his career strike rate of 74 in Tests shows he takes risks for higher returns. Padikkal's hundred came against a second-string attack on a placid pitch. The real test starts at Galle, where spin will bite from Day 1. Watch how many overs of Mendis India's batters survive.
Sources (4): freepressjournal.in, sportstar.thehindu.com, rediff.com, rediff.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.