Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Devdutt Padikkal Smashes Maiden Test Century in Galle
A cricketer named Devdutt Padikkal plays for India.
On Saturday, he played a very important game against Sri Lanka in Galle.
He hit the ball so well that he scored his first 100 runs in Test cricket, which is called a century.
He reached his 100 runs after facing just 134 balls.
He batted in the number three spot, which has been a tricky position for India for a while.
It was only his third Test match ever, and his first since a trip to Australia in 2024.
He got the chance because another player, Sai Sudharsan, was injured.
He made a big 150-run partnership with his teammate KL Rahul.
India's captain Shubman Gill won the coin toss and chose to bat first.
Everyone in the Indian team was very happy, including the coach and the person who picks the team, making it a very special day.
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Saturday.
Batting at No. 3, he reached the hundred off 134 balls, with nine fours and one six, in only his third Test appearance since his 2024 debut.
He became the first Indian No. 3 to score a Test century since Shubman Gill in September 2024, and only the second left-handed No. 3 to do so in the 21st century after Sourav Ganguly.
The left-hander, back in Tests after last playing in the opening match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, was selected after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury.
He walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out, shared a 150-run stand with KL Rahul, and was applauded by coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
- Who
- Devdutt Padikkal scored the century; India captain Shubman Gill won the toss, KL Rahul shared a 150-run stand, and head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar applauded from the stands.
- What
- Padikkal hit his maiden Test hundred off 134 balls batting at No. 3 on the opening day of the first Test, after India chose to bat first.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, the opening day of the first Test.
- Where
- Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- He returned to the Test side after last playing in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was handed the No. 3 role after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury.
- Player
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Milestone
- Maiden Test century
- Century reached
- 134 balls, nine fours and one six
- Batting position
- No. 3
- Test appearances
- Third since 2024 debut
- Match
- First Test, two-Test India-Sri Lanka series
- Venue
- Galle International Cricket Stadium
- No. 3 drought
- First century there since Shubman Gill (Sept 2024); unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara's last Test (June 2023)
Sources
Devdutt Padikkal registers maiden Test hundred in third red-ball outing at Galle vs Sri Lanka
IND vs SL, 1st Test: Padikkal marks comeback with maiden international century
Devdutt Padikkal cracks maiden Test hundred for IND vs SL in Galle
Century Alert! Devdutt Padikkal Smashes Maiden Test Hundred In IND Vs SL 1st Test At Galle
