India batter Devdutt Padikkal smashed Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a huge six, registering the first maximum of the opening Test of the two-match series. The contest began today (Saturday, August 15) and is being played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
On the first ball of the 14th over of India’s innings, Jayasuriya bowled a full delivery outside off. Padikkal stepped down the pitch and launched the ball straight down the ground, clearing the long-on boundary for a maximum.
Check out the clip of the six below:
The left-hander has come into the game in excellent form. During India’s three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI in Colombo, Padikkal impressed with a brilliant century, remaining unbeaten on 142 off 164 balls, including 18 fours.
KL Rahul-Devdutt Padikkal remain unbeaten as India dominate opening session on Day 1
India skipper Shubman Gill won the toss, and the visitors opted to bat first. Meanwhile, the hosts handed a Test debut to 25-year-old off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul made a solid start as the visitors reached 39/0 after 10 overs. The pair eventually added 47 runs off 66 balls for the opening wicket before Jaiswal was run out for 32 off 37 balls, including five fours, in the 11th over.
Devdutt Padikkal then walked in at No. 3 and batted positively, scoring 14 runs off his first 10 balls. KL Rahul also looked increasingly comfortable and began rotating the strike regularly, with the duo putting on an unbeaten 54-run stand off 96 balls for the second wicket.
At the time of writing, India were 101/1 after 27 overs at Lunch on Day 1, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 32 off 77 balls and Padikkal on 35 off 49 balls. Both batters have hit four fours and one six so far.
Edited by Dev Sharma
