India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Full Commentary

Agenda set for the next day - India handsomely dominate Day 1, then. They still have Jurel and debutant Saransh at the crease, with Rishabh Pant likely fit enough to return and bat again too. That makes tomorrow's first hour absolutely crucial for the Lankans, and with the second new ball just five overs old, they will want to come out fresh and make full use of it. India, meanwhile, with the pitch expected to flatten out further over the coming days before wearing out, will be eyeing a score well beyond 400 to seize virtual pole position in this contest. Day 2 will commence on Monday, 24th August, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT (10 am IST). Join us then. Cheers!

Fernando's late strike - However, just before the second new ball came into play, Keshara Nuwantha winkled out Padikkal with an absolute ripper. And once Asitha Fernando returned to spearhead the attack with the fresh Kookaburra late in the day, he tore into the heart of India's middle order, removing a cramp-stricken Jadeja soon after. Within the space of just eight overs, India slid from a commanding 281/3 down to 296/5.

Padikkal's brilliance keeps India in front - Coming into the evening session, Lahiru Kumara went hard at the short ball ploy, looking to prise out mistakes from the batters. He ran in hard all evening on a thoroughly humid day and gave it everything he had. That tactic eventually paid off when Rishabh Pant took a nasty blow on his left wrist and had to retire hurt. It was not the smoothest passage of play for Jadeja either, though he farmed the strike carefully at his end, while Padikkal continued on serenely at the other end, who, unscathed, notched up his second Test hundred, milking easy boundaries through those stunning cuts and late cuts. The two formed another crucial 75-run stand, which tired out the Lankan bowlers who had already resorted to defensive bowling.

Fried in the heat - India dominated the afternoon session, played out on a pitch that kept getting flatter and easier to bat on as the sun beat down hard. Sri Lanka tried everything against Gill and Padikkal but created little, the pacers going short without reward, and the spinners retreating into negative lines outside leg rather too early in the piece. Both batters eased into their fifties before Asitha Fernando struck against the run of play, ending a 120-run stand for the only wicket of the session.

Balanced morning - A tug of war played out in near equal measure through the first session on a track that promised runs. India's openers set the tone nicely, with Jaiswal caressing the ball around the gaps with silky timing, and Rahul doing what Rahul does best. However, both departed eventually but not before laying a platform. Padikkal lived a charmed life early, reprieved twice on 0 and 1, before finding his rhythm alongside Shubman Gill, as the two weaved together a partnership that steadied India's ship. Sri Lanka, to their credit, refused to let the shackles loose, extracting swing, seam and the odd unpredictable bounce with still a bit of moisture around.

12.03 pm GMT (5.33 pm IST) - A good little phase for Sri Lanka toward the back end of the day, some reward at last after a long, hard toil in the heat. But overall, the Indians will be the happier of the two teams walking into the shed with exactly 300 runs on the board. They constantly maintained a run rate of over 3.5 through the day and find themselves in a very strong position on a really good batting pitch.

Final ball of the day coming up. Any drama?

Another Indian batter falls today after misjudging the line and length. Jadeja departs just short of his half century. Out walks Saransh Jain, the debutant, at number 7, a decidedly nervy moment to be making his first Test appearance.

Jurel might be on 7, but he has actually struck a few gorgeous-looking drives that have found the fielders instead. Right. 6 minutes left in the day's play. This could well be the final over. Asitha Fernando will bowl it out.

Ravindra Jadeja is really struggling with cramps in his left hand now, seen holding and stretching his left index finger as the physio comes out once more to check on him. He is good to go for now. With less than 10 minutes left, Lahiru Kumara (12-3-38-1) is back for the final burst. He replaces Prabath Jayasuriya.

Ravindra Jadeja is feeling the cramps on his left forearm yet again.