Padikkal poised for India’s No.3 role after Sai Sudharsan ruled out for Sri Lanka Tests

India begin their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka on August 15 at Galle International Stadium, but will be without Sai Sudharsan, who has been ruled out due to injury; Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as the likely No.3 after scoring a century in a warm-up match in Colombo.

The series opens at Galle on August 15 and continues at Sinhalese Sports Club starting on August 23 (Sunday). This tour is India’s first Test visit to Sri Lanka since 2017, and India have not lost a Test series to Sri Lanka since 2008. Sai Sudharsan, aged 24, had produced two centuries for India A in two unofficial Tests last month and contributed a fluent 81 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, leading to suggestions he was establishing himself as India’s new No.3 in Tests before his injury ruling.

India have not yet named a replacement for Sudharsan, and several batsmen are being considered as options to fill the No.3 spot. Reported candidates include Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar, any of whom could be added to the squad ahead of the first Test.

Devdutt Padikkal is playing in the ongoing warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo and has been used at No.3 in that fixture. He struck a fluent century while batting at three and remained at the crease at the time of the report, a performance that has strengthened his case for the vacant position.

India’s decision to give Padikkal an opportunity at No.3 in the warm-up was noted as an indication that the team management is willing to deploy him in that role during the Sri Lanka series. His century at No.3 in Colombo forms the primary on-field evidence cited for his consideration as Sudharsan’s replacement.

The first Test between Sri Lanka and India starts on August 15 at Galle International Stadium, and, with Sudharsan sidelined, Devdutt Padikkal is likely to occupy the No.3 batting position for India.