Devdutt Padikkal scores an unbeaten 131 on the opening day in Galle against Sri Lanka, drawing praise from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar. Manjrekar highlights Padikkal’s technique versus spin, particularly his back-foot play, and says the innings suggests he “looks formidable.”
The performances is discussed in the context of India’s batting order, with Manjrekar weighing Padikkal’s case for the No. 3 slot against other options, including Sai Sudharsan. Across the coverage, both outlets frame the century as a meaningful career milestone for the young batter and as potential support for a more prominent position in the top order. The emphasis is on Padikkal’s style and effectiveness against Sri Lanka’s spinners rather than on broader match outcomes, with the comparison centered on which player should bat at No. 3 based on recent form and technique.
