Devdutt Padikkal has unequivocally announced his formidable return to the Indian Test squad with a spectacular maiden Test century during the opening match against Sri Lanka at the historic Galle International Cricket Stadium. This exceptional performance by the left-handed batsman, a two-time IPL champion with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, showcased a blend of fluency and composure while batting at the crucial number three position, thereby presenting a compelling argument for his permanent inclusion in India’s middle order. His timely arrival at the crease and subsequent dominant display provide a much-needed solution to India’s recent struggles in that particular batting slot.
Padikkal’s magnificent hundred places him in an exclusive group of Indian cricketers. He now stands as only the second Indian left-handed batter in the 21st century to achieve a Test century from the number three position, a feat previously accomplished by former captain Sourav Ganguly, who scored 136 against Zimbabwe in Delhi back in 2002. Expanding on this achievement, Padikkal is now the sixth Indian left-hander overall to register a Test hundred from the coveted number three spot. This prestigious list is headed by the legendary Vinod Kambli, with an impressive four centuries. Ganguly follows with three, while Salim Durani, Bapu Nadkarni, Ajit Wadekar, Eknath Solkar, Surinder Amarnath, and now Padikkal, each boast one century to their name in this position.
This landmark century effectively brings an end to a protracted period of uncertainty for India regarding their number three batsman in Test cricket. The last Indian player to achieve a Test hundred from this position was Shubman Gill, who scored a century against Bangladesh in Chennai in September 2024. Following that, India experimented with a staggering seven different batsmen at number three across 19 Tests. During this period, the position collectively averaged a mere 27.28, with only five scores of 50 or more recorded across 35 innings, highlighting the instability and lack of consistent performance.
The 25-year-old Padikkal carried forward the immense confidence gained from a highly successful 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, where he averaged an impressive 60.33, directly into his performance in Galle. Upon reaching his century, Padikkal’s celebration was a moment of pure emotion, marked by a powerful fist pump and a punch of the air, followed by the removal of his helmet and a dignified raise of his bat towards the appreciative crowd and his ecstatic teammates. His captain, Shubman Gill, offered his congratulations on the field, while head coach Gautam Gambhir applauded from the dressing room. The presence of BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar at the venue, who enthusiastically joined in the celebrations, further underscored the significance of Padikkal’s achievement and its potential impact on his future in Indian cricket.
