Kotak: "The way Padikkal played was really encouraging" after Galle Test Day 1 century

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said he was "so happy for him. He was waiting for this opportunity and the way he played was really encouraging," after Devdutt Padikkal struck a maiden Test century on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday (August 16, 2026).

Padikkal arrived in Sri Lanka off the back of an unbeaten 142 in a warm-up fixture in Colombo and converted that form into his first Test hundred on Day 1 in Galle, where India finished on 288 for two. Kotak, speaking to the media after the day's play, outlined the technical work Padikkal had undertaken and credited the batter for his execution.

Reflecting on Padikkal's development, Kotak said: "When I was at the NCA, he was working on his initial movement; he also worked on his back foot game. When we expect there will be turn, we try and work on stepping-out, sweep or back-foot game. A lot of credit goes to him." Those comments followed Padikkal’s progression from the NCA programme to the playing XI in Galle.

On the question of the number three position, Kotak noted multiple players have performed there, saying: "He batted well; Sai (Sudarshan) too has batted well at that number. But the thing is, they are all new batters. We are flexible in a way. Mainly, I would look at the way they bat, about how they are adapting to conditions, how they are dealing with the different stages. How they bat is important to me more than the number they bat at."

Kotak assessed the pitch conditions in Galle as on the drier side and offered a view on how the match might unfold: "When we saw the wicket, we felt that it is on the drier side. And there is no doubt that it is on the drier side. 288 for two is a good sign for us but it is just one day and we have a long way to go. I don’t think it will crack but I think it will spin more as the game progresses. The overall record shows that as the game progresses (at Galle), the average return of the batters goes down noticeably."

Kotak also praised K.L. Rahul’s role and versatility, saying: "In Tests he opens, in limited overs cricket he comes in at five or six. He is flexible that way and in a young team when a senior like him plays well, it always helps. He takes responsibility, builds partnerships and is consistent."

Addressing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run-out, Kotak offered a brief explanation of the incident: "It is just that KL stopped halfway. Jaiswal got up and took one step. And that’s why probably that misunderstanding happened. But these things happen and it is unfortunate."

Kotak reiterated the match remains in its early stages, noting explicitly that "288 for two is a good sign for us but it is just one day and we have a long way to go."