Devdutt Padikkal scores his maiden Test century for India in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Saturday, batting at No. 3. The left-hander reaches the milestone during his third Test appearance and makes a strong return to the team. He joins an emerging list of recent India No. 3 successes, with the century arriving after a period in which that batting slot had not produced a hundred.
All outlets link the innings to Padikkal’s effort to establish himself in the No. 3 position. Reporting also notes that he is only the second left-hander to score a Test century for India from No. 3 in the 21st century, after Sourav Ganguly’s 136 against Zimbabwe in Delhi in 2002. Times of India highlights Padikkal’s Ranji form as feeding into his international performance. Free Press Journal adds that India have tried multiple batters at No. 3 since Pujara’s retirement, and that the previous No. 3 century for India came from Shubman Gill in September 2024 against Bangladesh in Chennai.
Free Press Journal further emphasizes the reaction inside the camp, describing head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar applauding Padikkal from the stands. Across sources, the focus remains on the century’s significance both for Padikkal personally and for India’s selection debate around No. 3.
