The spotlight will once again be on Devdutt Padikkal, who made a strong case for the No. 3 position amid uncertainty over Sai Sudharsan’s availability. Padikkal remained unbeaten on a fluent 142 and will resume the innings on the final day with India well placed to take the lead.
After Sri Lanka Cricket XI declared on 363 for 8 overnight, India suffered an early setback when Yashasvi Jaiswal edged Vishwa Fernando to backward point off only the second ball of the innings. However, KL Rahul and Padikkal steadied the innings with a 96-run partnership before Rahul was dismissed for 40.
Padikkal then combined with Ravindra Jadeja for a crucial 72-run stand. Jadeja scored 63 before retiring hurt, while Padikkal reached his century from 121 balls and later returned to the crease after briefly retiring hurt. He continued his impressive innings into the 140s and remained unbeaten at stumps.
India’s middle order also received valuable time in the middle, with Manav Suthar scoring a patient 41, while Saransh Jain contributed 22. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, however, fell cheaply to Ramesh Mendis, who finished the day with two wickets.
The final over provided an entertaining finish as Gurnoor Brar smashed four sixes to race to an unbeaten 36 off just 18 balls, ensuring India ended the day on a high.
With India just six runs behind the SLC XI total, the final day could see them take the lead before giving their bowlers another opportunity to test themselves ahead of the upcoming Test series.
Another key talking point will be the fitness of Shubman Gill. The India captain missed the second day while recovering from an impact injury to his right ring finger sustained during training. Gill was briefly seen on the dressing-room balcony, but there was no clear indication yet of his availability for the final day’s play.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: 363/8 declared
India: 357/6 — Devdutt Padikkal 142*, Ravindra Jadeja 63, Manav Suthar 41; Ramesh Mendis 2/77, Asanka Manoj 2/32.
