Devdutt Padikkal Leaves Sachin Tendulkar And Virat Kohli Behind With Galle Glory

Devdutt Padikkal (R) & Sachin Tendulkar & Virat Kohli (Source: AP, AFP Photos)

Devdutt Padikkal went past Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli – two of the very best in Indian cricket – on Saturday during the first Test of the two-match series between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium. 

After completing a statement century in his very first match at this venue, Padikkal added a few more runs to get to one of the highest individual scores by an Indian here.

Devdutt Padikkal Makes History In Galle

Padikkal, while reaching 104, left behind Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar’s feat. While Kohli had an unbeaten 103 in Galle as his highest score here, Tendulkar 84, his highest in his four innings.

Nevertheless, the list has been headed by Virender Sehwag, who had an unbeaten 201 at this venue. Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara are in second and third places, respectively.

[Indians In Galle, As Of August 15, 2026]

Padikkal reached 107* when rain interrupted play once again in Galle during the IND vs SL 1st Test. The game was previously halted for the same reason, and it happened again after 63 overs of the day’s play.

Also Read: A Record Even Virat Kohli Doesn’t Have! Yashasvi Jaiswal Joins Sachin Tendulkar After 30 Tests

It was Padikkal’s maiden Test century, coming in his third Test match. Prior to that, he made 90 runs across three innings, with 65 his highest, set against England in Dharamsala in his debut match in 2024.

Padikkal, Kohli Have Another Interesting Feat

Another interesting statistic: Kohli and Padikkal – two RCB buddies – have done something unique. As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, Padikkal became the first player to get to a century on this red-letter day for India.

Just like that, Virat Kohli enjoyed his first-ever Test century on India’s Republic Day, January 26. It came in 2012, against Australia in their own backyard, Adelaide.

Important to mention that Kohli hit a century against West Indies on the eve of India’s Independence Day in 2019, on August 14. He made an unbeaten 99-ball 114 in Port of Spain, which had 14 glorious boundaries.

Good News For India As Devdutt Padikkal Steps Up

With Cheteshwar Pujara no longer playing cricket, India were looking for someone who could be reliable at No. 3 in Tests. Pujara had big shoes to fill, as Rahul Dravid set an unmatched standard throughout his illustrious career.

Therefore, it was so pleasing to see Padikkal, who has been doing spectacularly well in India’s domestic circuit across all formats, finally stand up in Galle. Safe to say, India’s fans had a sigh of relief after seeing him perform, at least for now.

Now time will tell how good Padikkal can go from here on. However, being someone who is 26, coupled with an unfortunate injury to Sai Sudharsan, it can be easily said that his No. 3 position in Tests is safe for now.

Also Read: KL Rahul Injured! Limps Off The Field In Pain During IND vs SL 1st Test