Devdutt Padikkal cemented his place with a magnificent century against Sri Lanka

XtraTime Web Desk

The long wait is finally over. Devdutt Padikkal brought India’s No. 3 spot back into the spotlight on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, scoring a century to end a 19-Test drought at the crucial batting position.

Before Padikkal, the last Indian batter to score a Test century at No. 3 was Shubman Gill, who achieved the feat against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test in September 2024. Since then, India have tried seven different batters at No. 3 across 19 Tests, but none could deliver the desired consistency. In 35 innings, they managed a combined average of just 27.28, with only five scores above fifty.

Padikkal changed that disappointing narrative with a composed and impressive innings. The left-hander showcased an excellent blend of patience and aggression, defending when required and taking advantage of scoring opportunities whenever they came his way. He brought up his maiden Test century with a single off Keshara Nuwantha.

Right from the start of the day, Padikkal looked confident and assured at the crease. He showed good judgement in defence while also finding the boundaries when the situation demanded. His century was not merely a personal milestone—it also provided India with a much-needed answer to their long-standing uncertainty at No. 3.

This innings in Sri Lanka could prove to be a major turning point in Padikkal’s Test career. By producing such a mature performance in a crucial position, he has shown that he possesses the temperament and ability to perform on the big stage when given an opportunity.