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Team India continued their dominance over England on the second day of the fifth and final Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Following a stellar bowling performance on the opening day, the batsmen took charge, propelling India to a commanding position by stumps on Day 2.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill lead the charge
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remained unbeaten at the close of play on Day 1 and carried on their excellent form into Day 2. The duo applied pressure on the England bowlers, both registering impressive centuries. Rohit scored a brilliant 103 off 162 deliveries, while Gill notched up a splendid 110 off 150 balls.
Devdutt Padikkal shines on debut
Adding to India’s dominance was the debutant, Devdutt Padikkal, who made a memorable entry into Test cricket. Padikkal showcased his talent with the bat, crafting a spectacular half-century. The left-handed batsman scored 65 runs off 103 balls and formed a crucial partnership with Sarfaraz Khan. Padikkal’s partnership of 97 runs with Sarfaraz for the fourth wicket steadied India’s innings after the quick dismissals of centurions Rohit and Gill.
Also READ: Twitter reactions – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill put Team India in driver’s seat against England on Day 2 of Dharamsala Test
Padikkal’s debut saga
However, Padikkal’s journey to his Test debut was not without uncertainty. The Kerala-born cricketer revealed that he received a message from the team management the night before the match, hinting at the possibility of his inclusion in the playing XI. Padikkal admitted to feeling nervous leading up to the match, unsure if he would indeed make his debut.
“I wouldn’t say it is great because you want time to prepare mentally, to be honest, uh, not being sure that if you are playing or not playing, it’s a bit of a dilemma, but at the same time, it’s a special feeling. I got the message the previous night saying that there was a possibility I could be playing this game,” said Padikkal after the end of play on the second day.
