Devdutt Padikkal falls for 199 as disputed catch decision sparks viral reaction

Padikkal's double-ton dream shattered by one run

Devdutt Padikkal's pursuit of a maiden first-class double century ended in agony and controversy on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, as the left-hander was given out caught behind for 199.

Disputed decision ignites social media

The dismissal triggered a viral moment. Padikkal, standing on 199, faced a delivery from Zak Gibson that pitched down the leg side. He attempted to clip it towards the leg side but missed, and the ball appeared to brush his pads before settling into wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay's gloves. There was a sound as the ball passed the bat, but Padikkal seemed convinced it had not come off his bat. New Zealand A appealed, and the umpire raised his finger.

Padikkal's reaction spoke volumes. He looked shocked, stood his ground for several moments, and gestured to the umpire to show how far the ball had been from his bat, signalling that it had gone down the leg side and brushed only his pads. The appeal did not appear especially strong, yet the decision stood. He shook his head in disappointment as he made his way back to the pavilion, with teammate Yash Rathod walking up to tap him on the shoulder to acknowledge the effort.

A knock built under pressure

The innings was a study in resilience. Padikkal's 199 came off 248 balls and was laced with 24 fours and three sixes. It arrived after India A were bowled out for just 113 in their first innings and then slumped to 10 for two in the second, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul falling early. Padikkal took charge to rescue the side from yet another precarious position, only to fall one run short of a career-defining score.

Building a red-ball case

The knock underlines Padikkal's growing stature in the longer format. In earlier domestic coverage, he contributed 62 for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final defeat to East Zone on September 10, part of a campaign in which he has continued to press his claims for higher honours in red-ball cricket.