Delhi: In the first Test being played against Sri Lanka in Galle, Devdutt Padikkal batted brilliantly and scored the first century of his Test career. Padikkal completed his century in 134 balls with the help of 9 fours and 1 six. His innings came at a time when Team India was constantly making changes regarding the number-3 batsman.

As soon as Padikkal completed his century, he also made a special record in his name. He has become the second left-handed batsman to score a Test century for India in the 21st century while batting at number-3. Before him, this feat was done by Sourav Ganguly.

Indian left handed batsman who scored century at number-3

Vinod Kambli holds the record for scoring most Test centuries at number 3 for India. He has scored 4 centuries on this number. Sourav Ganguly has scored 3 centuries. Whereas Salim Durrani, Bapu Nadkarni, Ajit Wadekar, Eknath Solkar, Surinder Amarnath and now Devdutt Padikkal have scored one century each. This achievement is also special for Padikkal because it is the first century of his Test career.

Century came at number-3 after 19 tests

Padikkal's century has come after a long wait for the Indian team at this number. The last century at number-3 for India was scored by Shubman Gill in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh in September 2024.

After this, India tried seven different batsmen for number 3 in 19 tests. These batsmen scored runs at an average of 27.28 in 35 innings and during this period scored 50 or more only five times. In such a situation, this innings of Padikkal has brought a lot of relief for Team India.

Took the innings together with Rahul

Padikkal along with KL Rahul strengthened the Indian innings. There was an excellent partnership of 150 runs between the two for the second wicket.

Rahul scored 77 runs, but after tea time he suffered from cramps and retired hurt and walked out of the field. After this, captain Shubman Gill came to bat, but he was out after scoring 16 runs. Whereas, Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out after scoring 32 runs.