Devdutt Padikkal assured his spot in India’s playing eleven for the opening Test with a stylish century on the second day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, while seasoned Rishabh Pant and his understudy Dhruv Jurel failed to make the most of favourable batting conditions.
Player and Team Performance
Gill picked up the niggle during a training session here on Thursday (August 5) and as result, K.L. India’s last Test series in Sri Lanka was in 2017, and the team composition has undergone vast changes in the last decade. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also announced a strong SLC XI that contained some frontrunners to make it to the Test squad.
“Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Doctors have advised more time for biological healing. The Sports Science team has informed the management and national selection committee. The medical cum fitness advice for Sudharsan reads: “Rehabilitation, strength & conditioning, and cricket-specific loads should be increased gradually and under close monitoring. The cautious approach is aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence or further complications and protecting long-term performance. It will be interesting to see who replaces Sudharsan in the squad. Rahul is leading the side in his absence. “KL Rahul will lead the team in Gill’s absence. In fact, only Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in this squad have appeared in Test matches in Sri Lanka. In the absence of an injured Jasprit Bumrah, pacer Mohammed Siraj will be India’s bowling lead with support coming from Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain. Led by Sonal Dinusha, who has played three Tests for SL, the squad features pacers Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and spinners Isitha Wijesundara and Ramesh Mendis. India: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi. SLC XI: Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rashantha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha (Captain), Anjala Bandara (wk), Nipun Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundara, Ramesh Mendis, Kesara Nuwantha, Dilum Sudeera.
Significant improvement, but not yet sufficient for a safe return to Test cricket,” according to the update from the Sports Science team which is monitoring the rehabilitation of the player.
What the Result Means
The pitch had become much easier to bat on, and Padikkal took full advantage, hitting 18 delectable boundaries to show that he is ready to reclaim his rightful place now that first-choice No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the series after failing to recover in time from his big-toe injury. If Pant perished going for the offensive, Dhruv Jurel’s (1) technical ineptness against off-spinner was exposed once again after the South Africa Test series.
A forward defensive prod and the inside edge flew to short square leg fielder who caught it on second attempt. Talented top order batter B Sai Sudharsan was on Saturday ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a big toe injury sustained during the India A tour of the island nation last month.
