Padikkal 142 powers India to warm-up win over Sri Lanka XI in Colombo

India began their tour of Sri Lanka with a convincing warm-up victory over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, with Devdutt Padikkal stealing the spotlight through a fluent unbeaten 142. The left-hander's knock anchored a successful chase of 207, giving the visitors a timely confidence boost ahead of the limited-overs series.

The match, played under overcast skies at the P Sara Oval, saw India's openers set the tone early. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal raced to 50-plus without loss, putting the chase firmly on track before Padikkal took over.

Padikkal makes a statement

Padikkal, who has been knocking on the doors of the national side, used the opportunity to press his case for the No.3 slot. His 142 came at a brisk pace, featuring clean hitting on both sides of the wicket. The 26-year-old looked in complete control, rotating strike smartly and punishing anything loose.

His innings was the cornerstone of India's reply, with the team never looking troubled after the openers' burst. The knock is likely to give the selectors food for thought as they finalise their batting order for the series.

Positive signs for India

Beyond the result, the warm-up match offered several positives for the Indian camp. The opening partnership between Gill and Jaiswal provided early momentum, while the middle order, led by Padikkal, showed depth and composure. The bowling unit, though not tested extensively, managed to restrict the Sri Lanka Cricket XI to a modest total.

The team management would have been pleased with the overall intensity and intent shown by the players, especially after a long break. The match served as a useful rehearsal for the conditions in Colombo, which are expected to be slow and low.

What lies ahead

With the warm-up game out of the way, India will now shift focus to the official series. The team will look to carry forward the momentum and fine-tune their combinations in the lead-up to the first match. The performance of Padikkal, in particular, will be watched closely as the selectors weigh their options for the middle order.

Officials have not yet confirmed the playing XI for the series opener, but the warm-up has given the think tank plenty to ponder. The next few days will be crucial as India aim to hit the ground running in Sri Lanka.