Devdutt Padikkal’s sophisticated 167 was the centrepiece in India’s strong 460 for nine at stumps despite the Sri Lankan spinners growing fangs on a truncated second day of the first Test on Sunday. Kuldeep Yadav (12) and Prasidh Krishna (1) were batting at close. Rains of varying intensity and the resultant wet outfield delayed the start of the day’s play until 2.35 pm, and the long break seemed to have rejuvenated the Lankans more. The home bowlers produced better lines and lengths than day one, cutting down the scoring areas of Indian batters, who resumed from a far stronger 288 for two.
Because of cramps the previous day, walked in next but could only add four more runs to his overnight score, kL Rahul, who had to retire on 77.
The knock by Suthar will also please the team management as skipper Shubman Gill had underscored the need for late order batters to chip in with some runs in the absence of injured all-rounders like Washington Sundar.
