Devdutt Padikkal Hits Back-to-Back Test Centuries With 117 in Colombo

Devdutt Padikkal struck his second Test century in as many matches, top-scoring with a brilliant 117 off 193 balls on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC in Colombo, continuing a red-hot run of form on the tour.

Padikkal, who arrived in Colombo on the back of a match-winning 167 in the series-opening win at Galle, batted with the same fluency here, striking 12 fours in a knock that anchored India's innings after they were put in to bat first. He shared useful stands through the middle order, including a lively 60-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who made 50, before eventually being bowled by Keshara Nuwantha, undone by a quicker, flatter delivery that snuck past the outside edge and clattered into off stump, with India well placed at 281 for 4 at the time of his dismissal.

The century is a continuation of the kind of form that has made Padikkal one of the standout performers of India's tour so far. Having struggled for a settled place in the side over recent years, back-to-back hundreds in his last two Test innings mark a significant statement, and go a long way toward cementing his position in the middle order heading into a busy home season.

India, chasing a series win having already gone 1-0 up in Galle, will look to build a big first-innings total on the back of Padikkal's knock, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (45), KL Rahul (18) and Gill (50) all getting starts earlier in the day without going on to make it count. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel were at the crease as play continued, with India well placed to post a substantial total on a good batting surface in Colombo.