Kolkata: Just three balls into their innings, India found themselves a wicket down, having lost Yashasvi Jaiswal. With the score at 0/1 and the new ball swinging, it was a critical moment for Devdutt Padikkal. Rather than showcasing his flair for stroke play, he needed to demonstrate to India that he could be a strong contender for the No. 3 position.
Event Context
By the time he finished his innings unbeaten on 142 runs from 164 balls, Padikkal achieved more than just a century in a warm-up match—he demonstrated his ability to adapt his game as the innings progressed. This performance served as a successful audition for him.
However, it was not without its challenges. The pitch at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo appeared green, but the wear and tear from the second day’s play had begun to affect the ball, causing it to turn sharply upon hitting the rough. Rahul faced this reality when he was bowled by Keshara Nuwantha at 96/2 while attempting an ambitious shot. At that stage, Padikkal had already scored 52 off 61 balls, establishing a solid foundation from which he could switch his approach.
Ravindra Jadeja joined him at the crease, and spin bowling became their primary challenge. Padikkal’s performance was particularly important for India, given the upcoming first Test in Galle. His ability to reach the ball with a long stride allowed him to handle the spin effectively, dampening turn and putting pressure on the bowlers. He utilized sweeps for shorter deliveries and drove overpitched balls. His reach enabled him to score without excessive movement, while Jadeja adapted by staying back in his crease, giving him more time to assess the turn.
The duo’s partnership entered a faster phase without seeming overly risky, as Padikkal and Jadeja added 72 runs together. Jadeja’s aggressive running kept the pressure on the fielders, and Padikkal began finding boundaries consistently. He brought up his hundred off 121 balls with a pull shot through midwicket, having narrowly avoided a caught-and-bowled chance on 99 from Ramesh Mendis. Following his milestone, he retired, and India quickly lost four more wickets.
Rishabh Pant was dismissed in a familiar fashion, trying to hit off-spinner Ramesh Mendis over long-on but instead offering a leading edge to long-off. Dhruv Jurel followed soon after, though Manav Suthar showcased commendable resilience with a 90-ball total of 41.
Upon returning after the fall of the eighth wicket, Padikkal wasted no time in resuming his scoring, quickly finding boundaries off Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Isitha Wijesundera, and Lahiru Kumara. This was significant as it demonstrated that his innings was not merely a slow accumulation against weary bowlers but a reflection of his ability to adjust to the evolving game situation.
Player Focus
Padikkal’s performance against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI unfolded in two distinct phases. The initial stage emphasized control. With KL Rahul by his side, Padikkal effectively navigated early movements, rotating the strike and avoiding the urge to aggressively chase runs. Rahul’s composed innings of 40 off 67 balls served as a stabilizing influence, enabling Padikkal to gradually apply pressure on the bowlers. His approach wasn’t entirely forceful; he mixed in a pull and a cut shot, complemented by safe singles, making it look relatively straightforward to accumulate runs.
This century holds significant importance for Padikkal’s career trajectory. Following a stellar debut against England in Dharamsala in early 2024, he has only participated in one more Test match — in Perth later that same year. An injury caused him to miss the England tour, leaving Padikkal awaiting another opportunity in the Test arena. However, his impressive domestic performance, which featured 543 runs at an average of 60.33 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, including a personal best of 232 against Uttarakhand, has strengthened his case for selection.
While domestic success does not always ensure a return to Test cricket, Padikkal’s consistent performances have opened new avenues for him. With Sai Sudharsan injured, leaving India’s No. 3 batting spot in question, Padikkal emerges as a clear stylistic alternative—another left-handed batsman adept against spin and increasingly skilled at navigating various phases of an innings.
Match Outlook
As India prepares for its first Test, the ability to handle spin with patience will be crucial, and Padikkal’s technique may provide an advantage. It’s important to note that a tour match differs significantly from a Test, and the Sri Lankan Cricket XI cannot be equated with the nation’s premier Test attack.
However, India’s focus isn’t merely on whether Padikkal can rack up runs during a warm-up match. Instead, they seek validation of his skills at the No.3 position. In this context, his performance was a notably thorough trial. Coming in at a precarious score of 0/1, he played the role of a No.3 effectively—soaking up pressure and steadily constructing the innings, gradually adapting against spin, and seamlessly resuming his innings when called back. This is precisely the approach India would have hoped for.
Brief scores: SLC XI 363/8 declared. India 357/6 (KL Rahul 40, D Padikkal 142*, R Jadeja 63, M Suthar 41; R Mendis 2/77, A Manoj 2/32).
