India strike early before Sri Lanka recover
India made the perfect start after pacer Kavya Paresh Patel dismissed both openers in the first three overs.
Patel removed Dimantha Mahavithana for 2 and Dulnith Sigera for a duck as Sri Lanka slipped to 3 for 2.
However, the visitors failed to build on that advantage as the home side staged an impressive recovery.
Wekunagoda shines with unbeaten 203
Coming in at No. 3, Wekunagoda batted through the day and remained unbeaten on 203 off 227 balls at stumps. His superb innings included 31 boundaries.
He found solid support from captain Vimath Dinsara, who made 52 off 99 balls with nine fours. The pair added 143 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings.
After Dinsara’s dismissal, Wekunagoda stitched together another crucial partnership of 128 runs with Kavija Gamage, who narrowly missed a half-century after scoring 49 off 121 balls, including nine fours.
Heenatigala adds to India’s frustration
Wekunagoda then combined with Chamika Heenatigala, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 77 balls, to add an unbroken 70-run stand for the fifth wicket.
The partnership ensured Sri Lanka finished the opening day firmly in control.
India bowlers struggle for breakthroughs
Apart from Patel’s early burst, India’s bowlers found little success.
Patel finished with figures of 2 for 54, while Pranav Ragavendra and Yashbardhan Chauhan picked up one wicket each.
India rotated seven bowlers during the day but struggled to contain Sri Lanka, sending down 89 overs as Wekunagoda’s marathon innings put the hosts in a strong position.
Sri Lanka entered the Youth Test series on a high after winning the preceding three-match Youth ODI series 2-1.
