Day 2 Presents India With a Chance to Maximise Batting Advantage

 

 

Image :Debasis Sen

Vaibhav Tripathi, Galle

On the eve of the Galle Test, Shubman Gill underlined the importance of preparation time ahead of a big series, especially in red-ball cricket. Devdutt Padikkal’s century on his Test comeback has provided a strong example of that preparation bearing fruit.

Padikkal looked a different player from the one who first turned up for the team’s practice session at the NCC in Colombo. He looked out of sorts in the first couple of days of practice, but the same player then scored a hundred in the practice match and another on his return to Test cricket.

All the hard work he put in behind the scenes during the practice sessions — long hours of batting in the nets — has paid off. Due to the work he put in, the southpaw was able to counter Sri Lanka’s spin threat.

Batting on 131, Padikkal will be eyeing a daddy hundred to help India post a mammoth first-innings total. India have lost Shubman Gill, but the good news is that KL Rahul will come out to bat on the second day, as confirmed by Sitanshu Kotak in the press conference on Day 1.

Rahul walked off after feeling discomfort in his body at the start of the third session. He’ll resume on 77 and, like Padikkal, the India opener could make a big one.

The Galle pitch has already started showing signs of spin, which is why it becomes even more important for India to score big. With a well-set Padikkal and Rishabh Pant at the crease, the run rate will be on the higher side. There is still a lot of batting left, with Rahul set to return, followed by Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar. In all likelihood, India will look to bat only once in this Test match.

For that to happen, the visitors will have to score over 550 or 600. India’s bowling attack has the ability to take 20 wickets.

They might declare later on the second day and ask Sri Lanka to come out to bat in the fading light, at the fag end of the day, much like they have done in the past on numerous occasions.

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The post Day 2 Presents India With a Chance to Maximise Batting Advantage appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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