The 26-year-old Karnataka batter, Devdutt Padikkal, made the opportunity count and has cemented his place in the Indian Test side after smashing his second Test century against Sri Lanka on Sunday at the SSC in Colombo.
His first century came on a special day, August 15, India’s 80th Independence Day, in the first Test at Galle against the island nation, where he scored 167. He also added a vital 44 in the second innings as India scripted a comprehensive 165-run victory on the fifth day.
The talented southpaw didn’t take anything for granted, and his hunger for centuries drove him to produce another hundred on the opening day of the second Test in the Sri Lanka vs India Test series. His stay at the crease eventually ended when he was on 117, as he was bowled by Keshara Nuwantha.
Padikkal’s ability to play the ball late was the hallmark of his innings, while the temperament he displayed when the Sri Lankan spinners adopted a negative line deserves special appreciation. He used his back foot particularly well against the Lankan spinners, especially lead spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, putting him under pressure by consistently piercing the gaps. Earlier, he had a shaky start to his innings, surviving two difficult chances that went in his favour.
There was some doubt surrounding Padikkal when Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar said that the Karnataka batter offered more at that moment than his senior teammate Karun Nair while picking the squad for the home Test series against the West Indies last year. This came after the conclusion of India’s away Test series against England, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate. However, Padikkal showed what he is capable of with his sheer grit and dedication when the opportunity came his way against Sri Lanka.
He has already scored 328 runs in the series and still has an innings to play. His back-to-back centuries have intensified the competition for the No. 3 spot, for which Sai Sudharsan was the preferred choice before an injury ruled him out of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2026.
Padikkal has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has now emerged as a strong contender for the No. 3 position ahead of India’s upcoming away series against New Zealand, scheduled for November 2026.