As stumps were called on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Devdutt Paddikal walked off the pitch with an unbeaten score of 131 off 178 balls. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was all praises for the southpaw who came in at number 3 as a replacement for Sai
Sudharsan, who was ruled out due to a toe injury. Sitanshu Kotak also noted that Devdutt Paddikal had been waiting for his opportunity, working hard on his backfoot game at the BCCI Centre of Excellence back home in Bengaluru.
The results of Devdutt Padikkal’s hard work certainly showed, as India dominated on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, going to stumps at 288-2 after 73 overs. Coming onto the pitch, Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32 runs off 37 balls. Devdutt Padikkal propelled India forward with his maiden ton, supported by KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant later in the day.
I am so happy for Devdutt Padikkal- Sitanshu Kotak
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak credited Devdutt Padikkal’s unwavering preparation and dedication for his impressive century while interacting with media, “I am so happy for him because he was actually waiting for his opportunity. The way he played here and in the warm-up match, it’s really encouraging. Preparation, I would say, overall, the way Devdutt was preparing, and I saw it in the NCA (BCCI CoE), he was working on his back foot game. We try that when we expect a turn from a pitch.”
Sitanshu Kotak also stressed that Paddikal’s focus on playing spin aided him in reaching such a significant milestone.
“We also tried to work on step-out, sweep besides the back foot game. So, a lot of credit goes to him, the way he has prepared himself for the last couple of years,” he said.
Devdutt Padikkal joins Virat Kohli in Elite List, slamming 12 fours and a six in his unbeaten hundred. Padikkal joined his IPL teammate and batting stalwart Virat Kohli in an elite list of batters who scored international centuries on Independence Day.
First Indian Centurion at No. 3 After Two Years
The last time Team India witnessed a Test hundred at No. 3 came from Shubman Gill’s bat in September 2024. Gill struck an unbeaten 119 in the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, after a first innings duck. Since then, India has had no luck
with Test tons at No. 3, having played 19 Tests till now.
Though Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan came close, Padikkal ended that unwanted streak with his magnificent ton at Galle. Though Team India suffered a couple of blows with KL Rahul retiring hurt at 77 due to cramps and skipper Shubman Gill perishing at 16, Devdutt Padikkal, accompanied by Rishabh Pant, kept India’s hopes of a 400+ score alive.
Also Read: SL vs IND: Devdutt Padikkal’s Belligerent Ton Rattles Sri Lanka