The two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15th. Prior to this series, Team India is playing a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the NCC Ground in Colombo. On the second day of the warm-up match (August 8th), top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal scored a fiery century. Padikkal reached his century off 121 balls by hitting a four in the 40th over of the Indian innings.
Left-handed batsman Padikkal’s innings came after Team India had lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) on the second ball of the day. India hadn’t even opened their account at that time. Coming to the crease, Padikkal started torturing the Sri Lankan bowlers from the very first over. Batting in tremendous rhythm, he completed his half-century in 61 balls. Padikkal didn’t spare the Sri Lankan bowlers even after scoring a half-century and reached his 10th century of his first-class career in the next 60 balls.
Is Padikkal’s place confirmed at number 3?
As soon as Padikkal reached his century, he was recalled. He retired after scoring 103 runs off 121 balls, including 14 fours. With this century, Padikkal has put an end to Team India’s No. 3 spot. His place in India’s playing XI for the Galle Test is considered certain. Sai Sudarshan has been ruled out of the Galle Test. As a result, Padikkal has virtually secured the No. 3 spot.
Padikkal has excellent figures
Padikkal’s red-ball cricket statistics show that he has scored 3903 runs in 57 matches at an average of 44.35. His best score during this period is 232. Padikkal has also played two Test matches for the Indian team, scoring 90 runs. Padikkal made his Test debut in Dharamsala in 2024, scoring 65 runs.