Devdutt Padikkal scored a century on his return to the India playing XI in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15.
His ton came in 134 deliveries in an innings studded with nine fours and one six. He is the first Indian number three since his captain Shubman Gill to score a century in the position.
Padikkal was returning to the Test side for the first time since he played the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024. He had been named in the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan but was left out in favour of B.
Sai Sudharsan.He began his innings with a four off his first ball against Keshara Nuwantha, and played a fluent knock. He was involved in a commanding partnership of 150 from 255 deliveries with his Karnataka teammate KL Rahul.
India is seeking a series victory against Sri Lanka that would earn it crucial points in the race for the World Test Championship final.
