New Delhi: At the start of the first test there was a certain question of whether India be able counter threat that poses in Galle of spin on both the fronts and they did answer it very comfortably courtesy of Rishabh Pant and Manav Suthar who was just playing his second test.

India batted first and posted a big score of 462 in the first innings which included the first ever century of Devdutt Padikkal who scored a huge 167 of 230 balls which included 15 fours and 1 six and he was well supported by KL Rahul who scored 77* on the first day before going out retired hut as he was suffering from cramps due to the heat of Galle. Captain and vice captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant could not get going in the first innings as shubman perished for 16 while attempting to go over long off on a delivery from prabath jayasuriya and pant had a brief stay for his 39 and he too perished while going for six over long off and cover of keshara nuwantha. Dhruv Jurel chipped in with fifty which helped team India cross the 400 run mark and end up on 462.For Sri Lanka Prabath Jayasuriya and keshara nuwantha were the wrecker in chief as they shared 7 wickets among them. Mohammad Siraj opened the bowling for India and straightaway got the first wicket in the first over itself and sent nishan madushka in the pavilion after which the new sensation Manav suthar came in attack and took the wickets of Lahiru Udara and Dinesh Chandimal before a stunner from Shubman Gill sent packing Kamindu Mendis and Sri Lanka at one point were tottering at 90–5 before a rearguard effort from Sonal Dinusha and Dickwella resulted in a 146 run partnership in which Dickwella scored a vital 80 with 7 fours and sonal dinusha scoring his maiden century and showing a lot of grit and composure.

Sri Lanka got bowled out for 284 giving India a lead of 178 runs and when India started their batting jaiswal got out for a duck and KL Rahul and devdutt padikkal contributed a brisk 35 and 44 respectively and by that devdutt padikkal total match runs went to 211 which is the highest by an Indian since Rahul Dravid made 215 runs in Ahmedabad in 2009 against the same opponent. Rishabh Pant made a brilliant counter attacking 66 which included 8 fours and 2 sixes which took him to 100 sixes in test cricket and by that doing so he became the first Indian to achieve this feat of 100 sixes in test cricket and overall he is third on the list right now only behind the former England test coach and captain i.e Brendon McCullam and Ben Stokes.

India set a mammoth target of 372 runs and siraj again struck with the new ball and again the heavy loading of bowling was done my Manav Suthar who picked up 6 wickets and wrapped up the victory for India. During this test Jadeja completed his 350 test wickets and become the fifth bowler to do so after Anil Kumble, Ashwin , Kapil Dev , Harbhajan Singh. Manav suthar also completed his first ever 10 wicket haul in test cricket and another impressive young player sonal dinusha again scored 84 in the second innings and combinedly scored 184 runs. The second test match starts from 23rd august in Colombo and India will look to whitewash their opponents and grab another crucial 12 points in context of WTC final and the hosts would look to end the series 1–1 and ensure their chances also of making it to the WTC final.

Whenever the Indian team’s Test matches schedule is rolled out there is one certain question who will bat at number 3 for India ?

After Cheteshwar pujara’s retirement The Indian team tried many young players at that spot including the now captain shubman gill but none of the players showed that potential to fill that cementing gap between the openers and middle that is very vital for any team in test cricket. When the original squad for India’s tour of Sri Lanka had been put out Sai Sudharshan was India’s original Number 3 batsman but the southpaw suffered a right toe stress facture eventually resulting in an opportunity for ever promising devdutt padikkal.

Devdutt padikkal returned the selectors faith in him by scoring a brilliant 131* on Day 1 of the 1st test match between India and Sri Lanka which included 12 fours and 1 six , coming in at 47–1 in the 11th over of the match Padikkal must have been in immense pressure to cement his spot in the national team which has not been guaranteed to him , Padikkal batted with a lot of calmness and maturity and showed good defense also which shows how dynamic player he is as in the IPL he has shown his power game as he scored 464 runs with a SR of 169.

The Indian team will hope devdutt padikkal will continue his good run and complete his double century on the second day of the test match and put India in a commanding position and help secure them a vital win in the context of the WTC finals race.