Devdutt Padikkal registered his maiden Test century for India on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. His performance was crucial for India, especially after an early mix-up involving Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.
Padikkal, playing a Test match after 632 days, stepped in to bat following a chaotic moment between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. The left-handed batter quickly found his rhythm, starting his innings with a boundary. He demonstrated strong footwork against both spin and pace, notably dancing down the track to hit Prabath Jayasuriya for a maximum early in his innings.
Padikkal’s Dominant Performance
Despite the surface offering some unexpected drift due to crosswinds, Padikkal maintained a busy and breezy approach. He outscored his batting partner, KL Rahul, with ease. Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, making his debut, managed to get one delivery to drift in and hold its line, but the bounce saved Padikkal, who appeared surprised by the assistance the pitch offered so early in the match.
The conditions did not provide significant assistance to either the spinners or the pacers, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando. Although the fast bowlers had their moments, their efforts were not consistent enough to challenge the visiting team on what were described as favourable batting conditions. Following a rain break, Asitha Fernando delivered a challenging spell, but both Rahul and Padikkal navigated this period effectively, later capitalising on less threatening bowling.
While KL Rahul adopted a more defensive approach, Devdutt Padikkal ensured the scoreboard continued to move at a good pace. The two batters from Karnataka, who reportedly share a bond over coffee off the field, complemented each other well. Rahul, who had to retire hurt due to cramps, is said to enjoy batting with Padikkal because the left-hander’s aggressive style allows him to play more calmly.
Padikkal was the driving force behind a 150-run partnership, which placed India in a strong position on the first day. This partnership maximised the advantage gained from Shubman Gill winning the toss earlier. With the pitch anticipated to deteriorate in the coming days, India’s strategy for winning the Test relies on batting once and accumulating a large total, a foundation that Padikkal and Rahul helped establish.
Jaiswal’s Controversial Dismissal
Earlier in the day, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s promising innings concluded prematurely due to a run-out that sparked considerable discussion. The incident involved a collision with debutant bowler Keshara Nuwantha and a mix-up with KL Rahul.
Jaiswal was run out for 32 on Day 1 of the first Test in Galle. The dismissal occurred in the 11th over when Rahul pushed a delivery from Nuwantha towards the bowler and called for a single. As Jaiswal responded, Nuwantha moved and collided with him, causing Jaiswal to lose his balance at the non-striker’s end.
The collision led to confusion between the two batters, resulting in both ending up at the same end. Prabath Jayasuriya collected the ball and threw it to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who broke the stumps. After a brief discussion, Dickwella and Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva decided to appeal. Replays confirmed that Rahul had grounded his bat first, leaving Jaiswal short of his crease.
This marked Jaiswal’s third run-out in Test cricket, having previously been dismissed in similar fashion against Australia in 2024 and the West Indies. The incident became a significant talking point on social media, with opinions divided on who was responsible for the mix-up.
Padikkal’s Journey to the Playing XI
Just a few weeks prior to this match, Devdutt Padikkal was not considered to be in contention for a spot in the playing XI. However, an injury to Sai Sudharsan created an opening at the No. 3 position. The team management had reportedly asked Padikkal to be prepared, and the Karnataka batter was mentally ready to seize the opportunity.
For over a year, Padikkal has dedicated significant time to improving his game against spin bowling, with domination being a key focus. His strong performances even caught the attention of chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who was present in Galle during a Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in 2024.
Padikkal’s game has reportedly advanced significantly since his debut in the home series against England. Despite limited opportunities, he continued to work diligently behind the scenes. He identified the No. 3 slot as his preferred position, even though his Test debut occurred at No. 4.
In the 2025-26 season, where he also took over as captain from Mayank Agarwal, Padikkal consistently batted at the No. 3 spot, with only one exception in a game against Punjab. During that season, he accumulated 543 runs in six games, a notable improvement from his 129 runs in four games during the 2024-25 edition. His clear role, leadership responsibilities, and proficiency against spin contributed to his readiness for the Test team. His performance in Galle suggests that when Sai Sudharsan regains match fitness, Padikkal will present strong competition for a spot in the playing XI. India concluded the day at 288 for 2 after 73 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 131 not out and KL Rahul retiring hurt on 77, while Prabath Jayasuriya took 1/77.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
