The National Times - Padikkal hundred helps India to 300-5 against Sri Lanka

Padikkal, a late injury replacement ahead of the series, had scored 167 and 44 in the first Test to win the Man of the Match award as India won by 165 runs in Galle.

He followed up with another century, but only after being dropped twice early in his innings after India opted to bat first.

Padikkal was first dropped by Sonal Dinusha at backward point before he had opened his account, then received another reprieve on two runs when captain Dhananjaya de Silva spilled a chance at slip.

Padikkal added 120 runs for the third wicket with captain Shubman Gill to put India in control before off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha finally ended his stay.

Since Gill moved down to number four after assuming the captaincy, India have tried several players in the number three position. Padikkal's performances in this series have made him a strong contender for the role.

Seamer Asitha Fernando was the pick of Sri Lanka's bowlers, returning figures of 3-46.

He dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 43 in the morning session, with the dismissal followed by a heated exchange between the two.

Fernando struck again to remove Gill, who slashed at a delivery moving away from him and was caught behind.

With the second new ball, Fernando produced another important breakthrough when he bowled Ravindra Jadeja.

Debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain was unbeaten on four at stumps, with Dhruv Jurel seven not out.

Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was struck on his left forearm while attempting to pull Lahiru Kumara and was forced to retire hurt.

Only 85 of the scheduled 90 overs were bowled on the opening day.

Earlier, Sri Lanka handed opening batter Kamil Mishara his Test debut, with Nishan Fernando left out. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who came on as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal in the first Test, also featured in the starting eleven for the first time.

E.Cox--TNT