Jaiswal vs Fernando, India vs Sri Lanka — even-steven at lunch on Day 1

PC- Debasis Sen, RevSportz

The score is now 1-1 in the Yashasvi Jaiswal versus Sri Lanka nibbling game, tongue firmly in cheek.

In Galle, when Prasidh Krishna was bowling to Niroshan Dickwella, Jaiswal had taken the lip-in-chief role from his position at backward square. Grapevine has it that he was imploring the Sri Lankan batsman to hit the fast bowler over square leg if he were serious about earning an IPL contract. Dickwella tried to manufacture a shot against Prasidh and got out.

On the first day of the second Test here at the SSC in Colombo, as Jaiswal was castled by Asitha Fernando, the bowler had a go at him. The opener responded and a few verbals flew. Was there a physical contact? Match referee must have taken note.

Jaiswal’s dismissal actually came against the run of play. After India won another good toss on a pretty decent pitch, Fernando welcomed the southpaw to the crease with a yorker. That was top confidence. Jaiswal’s response next ball was a gorgeous off-drive for a four.

The ball was coming onto the bat and Jaiswal was revelling in his stroke play. He is one player who converts his fifties into hundreds, and on this pitch he looked set for a big one. But Fernando made one swerve in off a length and breached Jaiswal’s defence.

Before that, KL Rahul got out for 18 and Devdutt Padikkal, the centurion in Galle, survived a couple of tough chances on nought and 1. At lunch on Day 1, he was batting on 13, with Shubman Gill giving him company on 11. At 88/2, it was an even session.

India have made one change to their winning combination, with off-spinner Saransh Jain making his Test debut at the expense of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. A BCCI release stated: “Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness.

“He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka.

“However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required.”

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