Devdutt Padikkal unbeaten 131 in Galle after targeted spin preparation

Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, returning to India’s Test side after nearly two years. His century, combined with KL Rahul’s 77, helped India finish a rain-interrupted day on 288/2 after 73 overs.

Padikkal, 26, delivered the innings after months of specific work designed for spinning surfaces at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said after play. “I am so happy for him because he was actually waiting for his opportunity,” Kotak said, praising the batter’s preparation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. “He was working on his back-foot game. We try that when we expect a turn from a pitch. We also tried to work on step-out, sweep besides the back-foot game.”

On the field Padikkal used depth in his crease, moved forward when required and repeatedly employed the sweep to disrupt Sri Lanka’s spin attack. He was particularly effective against left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, stepping down the track and launching him over long-on for six.

The sweep accounted for nearly 40 runs of Padikkal’s total, underlining the specific tactics he practiced ahead of the Test. His century followed a notable showing in the warm-up match, which had already given team management signs that his preparation was translating into runs.

Padikkal’s chance in the XI arrived because Sai Sudharsan was unavailable with a toe injury, and Kotak emphasised the value of adaptability over fixed batting positions when selecting the lineup. “I would look at the way they bat, how they are adapting to conditions, how they are dealing with the different stages of a match,” Kotak said, and Sri Lanka’s spin and fielding coach Jordan Gregory added: "I think firstly, credit to Padikkal. I think that he batted superbly today and so did KL. Unfortunate for him to get injured," said Gregory.

With India already in a strong position, Padikkal will look to kick on and perhaps even convert his century into a double hundred. He has already added 52 runs with Rishabh Pant, and the pair will be aiming to build on that partnership.