2 weeks ago
Padikkal's maiden Test century helps India post 460/9 in Galle
Devdutt Padikkal is a cricket player for India.
He played a game against Sri Lanka in a city called Galle.
He hit 167 runs before he got out, which was his very first century in Test cricket.
That means he scored more than 100 runs in one turn at bat, which is a big deal.
His team, India, finished with 460 runs and nine players out.
Padikkal only got to play because another player, Sai Sudharsan, was hurt.
He had not played for India's Test team since November 2024.
He said he had dreamed of this moment and worked hard for two years.
Even though it was very hot and tiring, he stayed patient and determined.
After the game he said he was so tired he just wanted to go back to bed.
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century for India, making 167 off 230 balls against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle.
On day one he was unbeaten on 131 as India reached 288/2 at stumps, sharing a 150-run stand with KL Rahul, who retired hurt on 77.
He was eventually dismissed, stumped by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, as India finished their first innings at 460/9 after three rain-marred days.
Padikkal, playing his first Test since November 2024, replaced the injured Sai Sudharsan, who was ruled out with a toe injury.
Padikkal said he had 'dreamt of this moment' after two years of hard work and credited patience and determination for pushing through heat and fatigue; he added he was so tired he was 'just going to go back to bed now.'
- Who
- India batter Devdutt Padikkal, alongside KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in key partnerships, with Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella and Prabath Jayasuriya involved in his dismissal.
- What
- Padikkal scored his maiden Test century - 167 off 230 balls (15 fours and a six) - helping India post 460/9 in their first innings of the opening Test.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka.
- When
- August 2026, across the first three rain-marred days of the Test; sources differ on whether his dismissal came on the second or third day.
- Why
- He earned a Test recall because Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury, and he said two years of hard work, patience and determination against spin produced the special knock.
Key facts
- Player
- Devdutt Padikkal (26, left-handed, Kerala-born Karnataka batter)
- Runs
- 167 off 230 balls - maiden Test century (15 fours, 1 six)
- Dismissal
- Stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off Prabath Jayasuriya
- Team total
- India 460/9 in first innings
- Match
- First Test, India vs Sri Lanka
- Venue
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- Road to the XI
- Replaced B Sai Sudharsan, ruled out with a toe injury
- Last Test before this
- November 2024
Quotes
Devdutt Padikkal
Indian left‑handed batsman and Test debutant
“In this knock, determination for me was playing through that tiredness and fatigue that I was feeling, especially towards the third session. I think it was getting really hot, and we were losing a lot of fluid. We were sweating all the time. So it was really important that I was determined enough to keep going and keep pushing forward”
livemint.com
“"Yeah, definitely. I’ve dreamt of this moment. For the last two years, I’ve been working really hard to try and make sure that when I get that opportunity, I can do something special like this, and I’m really happy to do that"”
news18.com
indianexpress.com
Sources
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