The left-hander smashed 167 off 230 balls in the opening Test, becoming the latest Indian batter to score a Test century while batting at No. 3 since 2000. Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle has earned him a place on an elite list featuring some of India’s biggest batting names.
3 role after Sai Sudharsan’s injury and made an immediate impact in Galle. He reached his maiden Test hundred on Day 1 before continuing his innings on the rain-affected second day. His eventual score of 167 was his first Test score beyond 150.
Padikkal was handed the No.
Padikkal Joins Elite Ranks with Test Century at No. 3
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century in just his sixth innings while batting at No. 3, a significant achievement that places him among a select group of Indian cricketers. He now shares this milestone with renowned players such as Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara, VVS Laxman, Shubman Gill, Sourav Ganguly, and Ajinkya Rahane, all of whom have also scored Test centuries at this position since 2000.
Rahul Dravid leads the way with an impressive 23 centuries in 174 innings at No. 3. Following him is Cheteshwar Pujara, who has accumulated 18 centuries in 155 innings. VVS Laxman ranks third with four centuries from 35 innings. Shubman Gill has made three centuries in 30 innings at No. 3.
Padikkal’s achievement is particularly notable as he joins a trio of Indian batters with one century at this position. Both Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane have also recorded one century, with Ganguly achieving it in six innings and Rahane in five innings.
