Dravid, Padikkal and Pujara: India’s leading No. 3 run-scorers in Tests in Sri Lanka

Three Indian batsmen — Rahul Dravid, Devdutt Padikkal and Cheteshwar Pujara — are the top run-scorers for India at No. 3 in Test matches in Sri Lanka, according to a Khel Now article published on 2026-08-26. Rahul Dravid leads the list with 433 runs at that position in Sri Lanka.

Batting in Sri Lanka presents challenges such as variable bounce, seam movement and sharp spin, which place a premium on a dependable No. 3. The article notes India have relied on players with the temperament for those conditions, citing Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara by name. The piece frames the ranking as a measure of which Indian top-order batsmen have most successfully negotiated Sri Lankan Test conditions while stationed at No. 3.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s record at No. 3 in Sri Lanka is highlighted by his 2017 tour: he scored 309 runs in three games at an average of 77.25 with a highest score of 153, and India won that series 3-0. Pujara finished his career with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests at an average of 43.6 and accumulated 19 Test centuries; three of those centuries came in Sri Lanka, two of them during the 2017 series when he batted at No. 3.

Devdutt Padikkal entered the list with performances in the 2026 series, where he struck centuries in both matches and recorded scores of 167, 44 and 117 in his first three innings in Sri Lanka at No. 3. Padikkal’s maiden Test century came in India’s 600th Test match, and he had been added to the XI in place of injured Sai Sudharsan. The three innings total 328 runs, which the article says moved him past Pujara on this specific list.

Rahul Dravid is described in the article as India’s most dependable No. 3 and was nicknamed “The Wall.” He scored 433 runs while batting at No. 3 in Sri Lanka. Dravid retired with 13,288 runs in his Test career and compiled 1,508 runs against Sri Lanka in 20 Tests at an average of 48.64, including three centuries and nine half-centuries.

Rahul Dravid holds the top spot for India at No. 3 in Sri Lanka with 433 runs at that position, while Padikkal’s three innings of 167, 44 and 117 in the 2026 series moved him ahead of Pujara on the list.