Indian batsman Devdutt Padikkal has continued his impressive run with the bat during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. India won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The visitors lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul before lunch, putting pressure on the middle order. The RCB player then settled in and helped India regain control. He played with patience and looked comfortable against both pace and spin. The left-hander reached his half-century and continued batting confidently as India moved past 200. Shubman Gill also joined him for an important partnership before reaching his own fifty. Gill was eventually dismissed after reaching the milestone, but Padikkal stayed firm at the other end. Rishabh Pant later retired hurt after being struck on the wrist, bringing Ravindra Jadeja to the crease. At the latest score, India were 218/3 after 61.1 overs, with Padikkal unbeaten on 81.

Padikkal’s calm approach has also caught the attention of cricket fans on social media. Several reactions focused on his composure and growing confidence at No. 3. His back-to-back strong performances have also strengthened the conversation around his place in India’s Test side. His earlier 167 in Galle had already made a strong impression. The player is also being regarded as one of the reliant developing middle order batters after retirement of players like Ajinkya Rahane and Chesteswar Pujara. Now, his unbeaten effort in Colombo is giving India another valuable innings. With Jadeja alongside him, India will hope the pair can stretch the total further. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, need quick wickets to prevent India from taking complete control of the Test.

Shubman Gill reaches 3,000 Test runs during gritty fifty against Sri Lanka in second Test match in Colombo

Shubman Gill produced a steady half-century on a busy first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The India captain walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal's early dismissal and took his time at the crease. He needed just seven runs to complete 3,000 Test runs before the match began. Gill reached the landmark early in his innings and became the fourth-youngest Indian batter to achieve the feat. He reached 3,000 runs at 26 years and 349 days. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Dilip Vengsarkar had done it younger.

Gill then settled down and built a useful partnership with Devdutt Padikkal. The pair helped India recover after the early setbacks and kept the scoreboard moving. The Indian captain brought up his half-century from 108 balls. It was his ninth fifty in Test cricket. He eventually fell for exactly 50, edging a delivery from Asitha Fernando to the wicketkeeper. His dismissal came with India on 186/3. Padikkal continued at the other end after the partnership ended. Gill’s innings may not have been flashy, but it was important for India. The milestone made the knock even more memorable. It also added another significant moment to his growing Test career.