'Devdutt Padikkal is God sent': India star hailed for dominating Sri Lankan spinners on Day 1 of 1st Test in Galle originally appeared on Cricket News . Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Devdutt Padikkal scored a maiden Test century on Day 1 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The RCB and India star dominated the Sri Lankan spinners with a fluent innings at number 3.
Sanjay Manjrekar and fans hailed Padikkal's technique against spin.
With a dressing room demolished by injuries, India didn't look at their best as they came down to bat at the 1st Test match at Galle. After a timing error that got Yashasvi Jaiswal run out early on, many even thought that an innings collapse was waiting for them. Devdutt Padikkal single-handedly changed that.
The RCB star announced himself on the Test stage with a superb maiden century against the Lankans' spin attack. The left-hander seized his opportunity at number three to leave India in a commanding position.
Handed the crucial No. 3 role in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal responded with a composed and authoritative innings.
He reached his hundred off 134 balls, ending a long search for stability in a position India has struggled to fill. His knock came in only his return to the Test side, having last featured against Australia in November 2024.
Batting on a spin-friendly Galle surface, Padikkal looked completely at ease against the hosts' slow bowlers, driving India towards a big first-innings total.
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Padikkal's innings stood out for the manner in which he handled Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack, led by star spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. He combined watchful defence with fearless strokeplay, repeatedly using his feet to disrupt the bowlers' lengths.
The left-hander struck a particularly memorable blow when he danced down the track to launch the left-arm spinner straight down the ground for a massive six.
It was an innings of authority and control, exactly the assured presence India has craved at first drop. By the time he reached three figures, India had moved past 200 with only one wicket down, a platform that could yet yield a substantial total.
His hundred also came in the context of KL Rahul retiring hurt with cramps, making his contribution all the more valuable.
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The performance drew widespread praise, with former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar leading the tributes. He was particularly impressed by the youngster's all-round game against the turning ball. Manjrekar wrote , "Devdutt Padikkal is God-sent for India v. spinners. Excellent technique, both in defence and attack."
Fans were equally captivated by his authority at the crease. One supporter posted , "Devdutt Padikkal is stepping out and launching it straight down the ground for a massive maximum. Leaving the left-arm spinner with no answers. Absolute authority at the crease."
Another tracked his progress through the innings, first writing , "Devdutt Padikkal is making his mark at No. 3 for India," before adding as he reached his fifty, "DDP announces himself at No. 3 in Tests. A solid fifty-run innings from Devdutt Padikkal."
A special moment involving the team management also caught the eye. One fan shared a picture of the dressing room, writing , "That moment means a lot. Captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir are applauding Devdutt Padikkal after his terrific fifty. A special moment for the youngster on his return to the Test setup."
Fans know that when the stoic coach Gambhir comes down to applaud an innings, then it is one to be noted.
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There is a strong argument that this innings is exactly what India has been waiting for. The No. 3 position has been a revolving door since the retirements of Cheteshwar Pujara, and while India has experimented with the likes of Gill and Sai Sudarshan before giving the chance to Padikkal in this Test, so far it hasn't been looking like it was working.
But after his performance today, a technically sound left-hander comfortable against spin could finally bring some permanence to a problem slot. The bigger question is whether Padikkal can turn this breakthrough into a lasting run in the side. With both Rahul retired hurt and Gill gone cheaply by a misplaced shot, he remains India's anchor for the first innings.
India might have a habit of chopping and changing its middle order, but a maiden century in these demanding conditions is a powerful statement. If he kicks on, Padikkal may not just have won a Test match for India but also settled one of the team's most pressing selection debates for some time to come.
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