Padikkal's Century Opens Door to India's No. 3 Spot

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-10

Devdutt Padikkal has put himself right in the frame for India's number 3 batting position ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka. He delivered a stunning unbeaten 142 runs in a warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Ground in Colombo, and that knock could be the turning point in his international career. The door swung open because Sai Sudharsan, India's regular number 3, was ruled out of the opening Test with a stress fracture in his right big toe. That injury leaves a vacancy in the top order, and Padikkal is now the leading candidate to fill it when the first Test gets underway in Galle on 15 August. ### A Knock That Demanded Attention The 26-year-old left-hander walked in very early after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a second-ball duck. But Padikkal didn't panic. He took control immediately, punishing the Sri Lanka Cricket XI attack with 18 boundaries from 164 deliveries. His century came off just 121 balls, and he celebrated by retiring himself out to give other teammates time in the middle. Later in the day, after the eighth wicket fell, he returned to the crease and pushed his score to 142. The innings was full of elegant cover drives and powerful pull shots, including his signature 'Nataraja Shot' against the fast bowlers. ### Building Crucial Partnerships Padikkal didn't do it alone. He shared a vital 96-run stand with KL Rahul, who played a cautious 40 while Padikkal took the aggressive route. He punished anything short, whether it came from pace or spin. After Rahul departed, Padikkal teamed up with veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The pair added 72 runs for the third wicket in just 98 balls. Jadeja contributed a gritty 63 before also retiring out. That partnership helped India post a strong first-innings total of 363. ### Why Sudharsan's Injury Changes Everything Sudharsan had been in excellent form, with two centuries in unofficial matches against Sri Lanka A. But doctors have confirmed a stress fracture in his right big toe, and they've advised more time for biological healing. He'll miss the opening Test and is unlikely to feature in the second match either. The selectors have called up Sarfaraz Khan as a replacement. Sarfaraz has a solid record against spin and recently scored a century against New Zealand. But Padikkal's recent form gives him the edge for the starting eleven. Head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly prefers a left-handed batter in the top order, which works heavily in Padikkal's favor. ### India's Growing Injury List Sudharsan isn't the only one sidelined. The squad is dealing with a string of fitness issues: - Jasprit Bumrah is resting after the BCCI medical team advised him to delay his return. Aquib Nabi has been named as his replacement. - Harshit Rana is out with a hamstring injury. - Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps problem. - Shubman Gill missed the warm-up game due to a hand injury from practice. These setbacks have put real pressure on the team management. But Padikkal's form offers a reliable solution for the batting line-up, and his confidence is clearly at an all-time high. ### What This Means for the Series Padikkal's performance is more than just a warm-up statistic. It's a statement. He's shown he can handle the pressure of a top-order role, build partnerships, and dominate bowlers when it matters. With the Test series starting soon, India needs someone who can anchor the innings and accelerate when required. If Padikkal gets the nod, he'll be walking into a side that's dealing with injuries but still has plenty of firepower. His left-handed presence could also balance the batting order nicely against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack. The selectors have a decision to make, but the evidence from Colombo is hard to ignore. Padikkal has staked his claim in the most emphatic way possible, and now it's up to the team management to give him the chance he's earned.