Devdutt Padikkal. Image Credits: AP
Devdutt Padikkal enhanced his overnight score by completing his maiden 150-plus score in Test cricket. India’s comeback man and experimental number three composed 167 runs in all from just 230 balls across Days 1 and 2 of the series-opening Galle Test against hosts Sri Lanka.
The cricketer struck 15 elegant boundaries and a huge six in his marathon knock, as India raced past the 350-run mark on a rain-interrupted Day 2.
After going past the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar on the opening day to secure a huge record at the Galle International Stadium, the right-handed batter also went past the likes of former cricketers Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara for few more records on the second day.
Devdutt Padikkal notches up huge Sri Lanka record by an Indian
Batting at number three in the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan, comeback man Padikkal grabbed his newfound opportunity with both hands against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
The cricketer charted 167 runs from 230 balls after resuming Day 2 at 131*. In the process, Padikkal has now registered the highest individual score by an Indian number three batter in an away Test match against Sri Lanka.
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Previously, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane held some of the most prolific number three scores for Team India in Test matches in Sri Lanka, prompting both players to slip a rung each following Padikkal’s exploits.
Highest Individual Scores for India at Number 3 vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in Tests:
- 167 – Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026, This Innings*
- 153 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
- 133 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Colombo (SSC), 2017
- 126 – Ajinkya Rahane, Colombo (PSS), 2015
- 125 – Vinod Kambli, Colombo (SSC), 1993
Devdutt Padikkal joins elite club with Galle ton vs Sri Lanka
Padikkal also charted one of the highest individual scores by an Indian batter against Sri Lanka in Tests, regardless of the venue. Former Indian batter and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid continues to hold the record of making most runs in a single innings at number three against the island nation, doing so back in 2009 in Ahmedabad.
Highest Individual Scores for India at Number 3 vs Sri Lanka in Tests:
- 177 - Rahul Dravid, Ahmedabad, 2009
- 167 - Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026, This Innings*
- 153 - Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
- 144 - Rahul Dravid, Kanpur, 2009
- 143 - Cheteshwar Pujara, Nagpur, 2017
Padikkal also became one of only three Indian players to score more than 150 runs in a Test innings against Sri Lanka at number three position. He joined the likes of Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara in an exclusive club.
150+ Scores for India at No. 3 vs Sri Lanka in Tests:
- 177 – Rahul Dravid, Ahmedabad, 2009
- 167 – Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026, This Innings*
- 153 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
Devdutt Padikkal is also one of only five Indian batters to register a 150-plus score in a Test match played in Sri Lanka, regardless of the batting position.
Previously, former players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan all plundered 150-plus scores in Sri Lanka, with the likes of Tendulkar and Sehwag converting their efforts into alluring double hundreds.
Highest Individual Score for India vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in Tests:
- 203 – Sachin Tendulkar, Colombo (SSC), 2010
- 201* – Virender Sehwag, Galle, 2008
- 190 – Shikhar Dhawan, Galle, 2017
- 167 – Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026, This Innings*
- 153 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
Furthermore, the 26-year-old has now become only the fourth Indian batter to score 150 or more runs in a Test innings at the Galle International Stadium, joining the likes of Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Devdutt Padikkal makes a statement in comeback series
Padikkal played just two Tests in his career ever since making his format debut way back in March 2024 against England.
Making his return to the Indian Test set-up for the tour after a gap of nearly two years, the cricketer notched up his maiden Test century and made a strong case for himself as India’s number three batter in the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan.
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