India’s top-order strategy paid massive dividends in Galle as Devdutt Padikkal brought up his maiden Test hundred on the opening day against Sri Lanka. Making just his third appearance in the format since debuting in 2024, the left-hander made the most of skipper Shubman Gill's decision to bat first, anchoring the visitors' early charge with a crisp, 134-ball century.
Devdutt Padikkal notched maiden international ton in Galle Test
Padikkal's entry to the crease came under tense circumstances in the 11th over following a catastrophic mix-up between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal that saw the latter run out. Unfazed by the sudden loss of the opening partnership, the Karnataka batter took complete control of the number three position—becoming only the second Indian player after captain Gill to score a century from that spot since Cheteshwar Pujara last featured for the side in June 2023.
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Padikkal makes case for no.3 spot
Capitalising on a sudden opening in the lineup, 26-year-old Padikkal stepped up to the number three position for the Test series after injury sidelined Sai Sudharsan. The Karnataka captain arrived in Galle with momentum firmly on his side, having already laid the groundwork for his success with a sparkling 142 against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI during the warmup fixture in Colombo just a week prior.
That seamless transition to the international stage aligns perfectly with his stellar rise over the past couple of seasons. Averaging a formidable 57.6 while accumulating 1,152 runs and four centuries in red-ball cricket since 2024, Padikkal boasts one of the most prolific domestic records at first-drop. His recent performances strongly suggest that India may have finally found their long-term solution for the pivotal number three slot.
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India's playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka's playing XI:
Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando