Devdutt Padikkal's 167 and Manav Suthar's ten-wicket match haul steered India to victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test.
A stellar display from young prospects Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar helped India secure a victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test. The 26-year-old Padikkal was named Player of the Match, while 24-year-old Suthar dominated with the ball.
Playing his third Test and batting at No. 3 in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal struck 167 in the first innings on a slow, hot, and sultry pitch. He added a vital 44 in the second innings to help India build a bigger lead. Batting alongside Karnataka statemate K.L. Rahul, Padikkal demonstrated strong shot-selection, with both players highlighting their understanding of each other's tempo at the crease.
In his second Test, left-arm spinner Suthar delivered twin blows to Sri Lanka, taking 4 for 76 in the first innings and 6 for 55 in the second. Suthar outshone spin colleagues Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, showing his capability to loop and drift while offering useful lower-order batting.
With R. Ashwin retired and Jadeja in his twilight phase, Suthar's performance offers hope for India's spin tradition. Both Padikkal and Suthar will now turn their attention to the second Test at Colombo before facing the visiting Australians in home Tests next year.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.