Devdutt Padikkal. Image Credits: AP
Devdutt Padikkal scored a fighting century against Sri Lanka on Day 1 of the series-opening first Test at Galle. Resuming at 131* on Day 2, the cricketer scored another 36 runs to chart a grand 167-run knock from 230 balls with 15 boundaries and a six.
Celebrating his maiden Test century, Padikkal celebrated the occasion with much fervor at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The 26-year-old also expressed his delight while speaking with the reporters after stumps on Day 2, as he released his first official reaction after bringing up his maiden international hundred.
Devdutt Padikkal realizes “dream”, says century two years in the making
Devdutt Padikkal made his Test debut over two years ago during a home series against England. However, the elegant left-handed batter played just one match in his maiden series, and earned his second Test cap later that year in the opening match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
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Scoring just 90 runs in the first three innings of his career, Padikkal was dropped once again following India’s dismal tour ‘Down Under’. In the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan, the 26-year-old found his way back into India’s playing XI in August 2026, i.e., nearly two years after last representing the country in the format.
The RCB star grabbed this opportunity with both hands, as he notched up his maiden Test century and turned it into a grand 167-run knock.
Realizing his dream of scoring a Test century for India, Devdutt Padikkal said “I’ve dreamt of this moment. For the last two years, I’ve been working really hard to try and make sure that when I get that opportunity, I can do something special like this, and I’m really happy to do that.”
Padikkal reveals his batting mindset of scoring grand hundreds
Devdutt Padikkal also opened up on his batting mindset and his ability of converting centuries into big scores. With a highest first-class score of 232 in domestic cricket, the left-hander holds a penchant of composing grand centuries. Even his maiden Test century for India turned out to be an epic 167 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
While speaking with the reporters, the cricketer explained that he enjoys batting and he does not relax even after getting to a century.
He said “I think honestly, it’s just the hunger to score more runs. I just enjoy batting out there, and the moment you get to 100, it’s easy to relax and feel that relief. But it’s important that for me, the next 20-30 balls are the really important phase that I try and make sure that I’m completely focused, completely there. I think when I get past those first 10 balls after 100, I think it makes my job a whole lot easier.”
Devdutt Padikkal notches up some records with big century
Devdutt Padikkal notched up a slew of records through the course of his maiden Test century for India. For starters, the cricketer now holds the record of registering the highest individual score by an Indian number three batter in Test matches in Sri Lanka.
He also holds the second highest individual score by an Indian number three against Sri Lanka, regardless of the venue. Moreover, Padikkal is also one of only three Indian batters to have slapped a 150-plus score against Sri Lanka while batting at number three.
With respect to the match, his innings catapulted the Indian total to 460-9 in 116 overs by stumps.
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