Devdutt Padikkal made a memorable return to Test cricket with a marvellous unbeaten 131, helping India construct a commanding 288 for two against Sri Lanka at stumps on the opening day of the first match in Galle on Saturday. Padikkal, whose last appearance in whites was against Australia in Perth in 2024, underlined the progress and maturity as a batter in the interim, bringing up his maiden international hundred in 134 balls. Rishabh Pant was giving him company on 27 at close with whom Padikkal has added 52 runs for the unbroken third wicket stand.
In fact, his first 20 runs came at a strike-rate close to 100 before settling into a more steady rhythm. He had shown tremendous touch in recent times across formats, and his 142 against SLC XI in a warm-up match in Colombo last week was a proclamation of his form. The horrible yes or no situation saw both the batters ending up at non-striker’s end with Jaiswal, whose lost his balance after a collision with the bowler, eventually having to walk off.
Even during that alliance, the lead cast was Padikkal, who scored fluently around the wicket.
The knock fastracked his selection to the Indian team once Sai Sudharsan failed to recover from a toe injury, and here Padikkal fully exploited the opportunity with a knock of authority.
