Galle, Aug 15: Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to Test cricket in emphatic fashion, smashing an unbeaten 131 as India finished the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 288/2 here on Saturday.
On a rain-interrupted day that marked India’s 600th Test, Padikkal produced a composed yet attacking innings to register his maiden Test century and put the visitors firmly in control.
The left-hander reached his hundred off 134 balls and remained unbeaten on 131 from 178 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and a six. Rishabh Pant was giving him company at 27 off 36 balls at stumps.
Padikkal was drafted into the playing XI at No. 3 after Sai Sudharsan failed to recover from a toe injury. The Karnataka batter had already shown impressive form in the warm-up game, scoring 142 against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.
He carried that momentum into the Test, initially joining KL Rahul after Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 37 with India on 47.
Padikkal and Rahul then took control of the innings, adding 150 runs for the second wicket. While Padikkal gradually shifted through the gears, Rahul provided his customary solidity, reaching his half-century off 127 balls.
Rahul eventually had to retire hurt on 77 off 162 balls after suffering cramps and discomfort. His innings included nine fours and a six.
Padikkal, meanwhile, continued to dominate the Sri Lankan spinners. He used his feet effectively, found the gaps on both sides of the wicket and attacked Prabath Jayasuriya whenever the opportunity presented itself.
He brought up his half-century off 81 balls before hitting Jayasuriya for a six over long-on and following it with a well-timed cover drive.
Rain forced an approximately 80-minute interruption, but the break failed to disrupt India’s momentum.
Padikkal eventually reached his landmark century by pushing Lahiru Kumara towards mid-off and completing a single, becoming the first Indian batter to score a Test hundred on August 15, according to the information available.
His century also made him only the second Indian left-hander in the 21st century to score a Test hundred from No. 3, after Sourav Ganguly.
India suffered their second setback when captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for 16 by Jayasuriya, who deceived the batter with flight while he attempted to loft the spinner.
Pant then joined Padikkal and ensured India finished the day strongly. The duo added an unbeaten 52 runs for the third wicket, with Pant striking three fours and a six.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make a sustained impact on a surface offering true bounce and some assistance to spin. Apart from Jaiswal’s run-out and Gill’s dismissal, the hosts had little to celebrate.
At stumps, India were 288/2 in 73 overs, with Padikkal unbeaten on 131 and Pant on 27, leaving the visitors in a commanding position heading into the second day.
