Devdutt Padikkal stakes claim to India’s Test No.3 with unbeaten 142 as Sai Sudharsan remains sidelined
Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as a contender to replace Sai Sudharsan at No.3 in India’s Test batting order after scoring an unbeaten 142 in a practice match ahead of the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, Khel Now reported on 2026-08-15. Padikkal’s performance earned him a place in India’s Playing XI for the first Sri Lanka vs India Test while Sudharsan is out of the series with injury.
India’s management is probing options as it looks to establish a settled Test side, giving younger batters opportunities in a period that includes the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27; the team needs consistent results in the Sri Lanka series to remain competitive in that cycle. The No.3 slot, which follows the openers, is being scrutinised for a batter able to handle early match scenarios and sustained pressure; Sudharsan had been considered for that role before his injury opened the door for another left-hander.
Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 in the practice game was cited by Khel Now as the key reason he secured selection for the first Test, with the report noting he looked comfortable against spin and displayed the patience associated with red-ball cricket. The left-hander’s knock in the lead-up match came at a time when India required an alternative to Sudharsan, and it directly influenced the selectors’ decision to include him in the playing XI for the series opener.
Khel Now described Padikkal’s form as authoritative during the innings, saying he struck elegant boundaries and put the opposition under pressure, progressing from a “flawless half-century” into a century. The article also referenced Padikkal’s recent century at Galle alongside the 142-run practice match effort as evidence bolstering his case for the No.3 berth.
The report emphasised that Sudharsan remains part of India’s plans despite his absence, noting his prior performances and the confidence shown by team management cannot be dismissed solely because he missed the series through injury. Khel Now framed Padikkal as one of the leading options to fill the vacancy created by Sudharsan’s unavailability but reiterated that Sudharsan is still an option for India’s Test batting setup.
Khel Now added that strong displays from Padikkal in the Sri Lanka series would intensify the debate over India’s permanent No.3. For now, Padikkal’s selection in the first Sri Lanka vs India Test gives him an immediate opportunity to press his claim in the ongoing series.
