India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that Rishabh Pant will be fit to bat on Day 2 of the Colombo Test after the wicketkeeper-batter was forced to retire hurt on Sunday.

Pant was struck on his left wrist by a short delivery from Lahiru Kumara in the 58th over, shortly after tea. He attempted to pull the ball but only managed to glove it before immediately showing discomfort. The physio attended to him and applied an ice pack before Pant walked off, with Ravindra Jadeja coming out to bat in his place.

Speaking at the press conference after the end of the day’s play, Kotak allayed India’s concerns and confirmed that Pant would return to the crease.

SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 1: Highlights | Scorecard

“Rishabh Pant will be fine to bat tomorrow,” Kotak said.

The update will come as a major relief for India, with Pant expected to resume his innings when required on the second morning.

India ended Day 1 at 300 for five after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Devdutt Padikkal was the star of the day, scoring 117 off 193 balls for his second century of the series. Shubman Gill also contributed with a fifty as India recovered from a couple of early setbacks.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were dismissed early, but Padikkal and Gill steadied the innings with a 120-run partnership. Gill fell soon after reaching his half-century, but Padikkal continued to anchor the innings.

India lost two more wickets in the final session. Padikkal was dismissed shortly before the second new ball, while Jadeja fell for 43 in the final over of the day. Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on seven, with Saransh Jain on four at stumps.

India will now look to add quick runs on Day 2 and push towards a substantial first-innings total. The increasing assistance for the spinners, however, could make batting more challenging as the Test progresses.

Pant’s return will strengthen India’s lower order and give them another proven run-scorer at a crucial stage of the innings. His ability to accelerate could be particularly valuable once the bowlers tire.

For now, Jurel and Jain will look to extend India’s total before Pant returns to the crease. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will hope to wrap up the remaining wickets quickly and prevent India from building a commanding first-innings score.

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