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The India National Cricket Team is currently playing the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle, against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. During the first Test match in the first innings, Devdutt Padikkal scored a brilliant century and announced himself at No.3 for India in the traditional format of the game.
Devdutt Padikkal was not a favourite to start the game, as he came into the side with Sai Sudharsan being ruled out of the Test series. Sai was the first-choice No.3 batter for the Men in Blue; if he had been fit, he would have started, and Padikkal would have warmed the bench. But the former grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Records broken by Devdutt Padikkal
After scoring the hundred, he broke several records, as he became the first Indian batter in history to score a Test century on Independence Day (August 15). The batter scored his century on Saturday and was not out on Day 1 of the match; he continued with the same on Day 2 but was dismissed on the score of 167.
The Southpaw is the fourth Indian to score 150+ in a Test innings in Galle, after Virender Sehwag (201*), Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (153). He got into the list after scoring 150 runs off 215 balls.
Now, only one Indian left-handed batter at No.3 3 has a higher Test score than Devdutt Padikkal's 167, and that is Vinod Kambli (227 & 224). He also ended India's long century drought at the number three position in Test cricket, which spanned 19 Tests and 35 innings without a ton from that slot.
150+ Score in Srilanka Tests (Indians)
2008 - Virender Sehwag
2010 - Sachin Tendulkar
2017 - Shikhar Dhawan
2017 - Cheteshwar Pujara
2026 - Devdutt Padikkal*
Highest Individual Scores for India's No.3 vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in Tests:
167 – Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026,
153 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
133 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Colombo (SSC), 2017
Highest Individual Test Score for India against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka:
203 – Sachin Tendulkar, Colombo (SSC), 2010
201* – Virender Sehwag, Galle, 2008
190 – Shikhar Dhawan, Galle, 2017
167 – Devdutt Padikkal, Galle, 2026, This Innings*
153 – Cheteshwar Pujara, Galle, 2017
Highest Test Scores by an Indian Batter While Getting Stumped
176 - Rohit Sharma v SA
167 - Devdutt Padikkal v SL
155 - Murali Vijay v SL
Yashasvi Jaiswal had an unfortunate start
Coming to the match, Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were off to a good start as they stitched 47 runs for the first wicket.
The Southpaw was dismissed for 32 off 37 deliveries. Rahul and Padikkal stitched a partnership of 150 runs before the former was retired hurt.
KL Rahul yet again falls cheaply
Gill had a good start, but he could not convert it into a big score, and then Rishabh Pant scored 39 runs.
Later, Rahul came back into the crease, but he failed to reach his hundred as he was back in the pavilion for 82 runs. India are at a good stage with Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease with 376/5. They will look to put up a big total, and keep the rain in mind as well.
