Devdutt Padikkal ends India’s two-year wait for a No. 3 Test century with Galle hundred
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century for India on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15, 2026, ending a two-year drought for an Indian hundred at the No. 3 spot. He reached three figures in just 134 deliveries during the opening day of the two-Test series.
The century arrived two years after Padikkal’s Test debut and made him the first India batter since Shubman Gill in 2024 to register a hundred at No. 3. He took the position after regular No. 3 Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series with a toe injury; Sai had been given a long rope at the position but had struggled for consistency despite scoring two hundreds during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in June-July with the India A team. Padikkal entered the match having struck a hundred in a three-day warm-up match for a Sri Lankan XI at the NCC Ground in Colombo last week and on the back of strong domestic form and a dominant IPL 2026 campaign for champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Padikkal’s innings was built on control and positive footwork as he dominated the Sri Lankan bowling attack, making batting look straightforward on a pitch described as good for batting on Day 1. He was decisive off both the back foot and the front foot and was not hurried by either pace or spin on a humid day that was interrupted by a brief spell of rain.
The left-hander and KL Rahul put together a 150-run partnership, with Rahul retiring hurt on 77 after the tea break on Saturday. Padikkal brought up his century in the post-tea session, punching the air in celebration as he reached three figures; coach Gautam Gambhir appeared in the dressing room visibly pleased and was seen appreciating the young batter.
Padikkal’s hundred followed the opportunity created by Sudharsan’s absence and his own recent preparation, combining form from the warm-up match and his performances in domestic and IPL cricket. The innings provided India with a substantial platform on the opening day of the contest.
The knock was scored on Day 1 of the first Test of the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka in the island nation, setting the tone for the remainder of the opening match.
