Padikkal turns injury-enforced opportunity into a statement innings

Devdutt Padikkal strengthened his claim to India’s No. 3 spot with an unbeaten 131 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Drafted into the XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with an injury, Padikkal played with authority against Sri Lanka’s spinners and helped India reach 288/2 after 73 overs in a rain-shortened day.

Manjrekar calls Padikkal ‘godsent’ against spin

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was quick to praise Padikkal’s performance, highlighting the left-hander’s balance between defence, strike rotation and attacking strokes. “Devdutt Padikkal god sent for India v spinners. Excellent technique, both in defence & attack,” Manjrekar wrote on X.

Explaining his view during a discussion on Sony Sports, Manjrekar said Padikkal was comfortable using the crease against spin and could score in multiple ways. “He’s good in defense against spin, he’s good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he’s also good at playing attacking shots,” he said.

Back-foot play impresses on turning surface

Padikkal repeatedly went deep in his crease to handle the slow, turning pitch, while also advancing down the track when the bowlers offered him scoring opportunities. One notable stroke saw him charge Prabath Jayasuriya and loft the spinner over long-on for six.

Manjrekar singled out Padikkal’s ability to strike off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot. “On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it’s somebody who wants to get onto the back foot,” he said.

Manjrekar ultimately argued that India should retain Padikkal at No. 3 even when Sudharsan is fit again, particularly on surfaces where spin is expected to play a major role. “On pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back, because he looks such a formidable player against spin,” he said.

A milestone innings for Padikkal

Padikkal’s unbeaten century was also a landmark performance. He became the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day and only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to register an international century on August 15.