2 weeks ago
Padikkal century, Kotak praise highlight India's strong start in Galle
A cricket player named Devdutt Padikkal played a very important game for India.
It was a special day because India was playing its 600th Test match.
Padikkal had waited a long time for this chance.
He scored his very first Test century, finishing not out on 134 runs.
His teammate KL Rahul played well too but had to stop because of cramps.
India finished the day with 288 runs for only 2 wickets.
The coach, Sitanshu Kotak, said Padikkal worked very hard and practiced his basics and back-foot shots.
Kotak said how batters adapt to the conditions matters more than their batting position.
The pitch was damp, and the ball started swinging after rain.
The day ended early because the light was bad.
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century, finishing unbeaten on 134 (the article also cites 131 not out) in India's 600th Test.
India reached 288/2 in 73 overs on a rain-hit opening day at Galle International Stadium before stumps were called early for bad light.
Vice-captain KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 due to cramps in the final session, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 32.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak credited Padikkal's long-term preparation, including work on his basics and back-foot game at the NCA.
Kotak said batting position matters less than how batters adapt to conditions, noting the damp pitch and swing after rain.
- Who
- India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Devdutt Padikkal, who hit his maiden Test century; KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were the openers.
- What
- India reached 288/2, with Padikkal unbeaten on 134 (also cited as 131) on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
- Where
- Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka.
- When
- Saturday, on the opening day of the first Test.
- Why
- Padikkal returned to Test cricket for the first time since November 2024 and seized his opportunity; Kotak highlighted his hard preparation and ability to adapt to conditions.
Key facts
- Event
- First Test, India vs Sri Lanka
- Match milestone
- India's 600th Test
- Devdutt Padikkal
- 134 not out (also cited as 131 not out), 12 fours and a six
- India's total
- 288/2 in 73 overs
- KL Rahul
- 77 not out, retired hurt with cramps
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- 32
- Venue
- Galle International Stadium
- Day one
- Stumps called early for bad light on a rain-hit day
Quotes
Sitanshu Kotak
India batting coach
“"I'm so happy for him. Because he actually was waiting for this opportunity, and he got an opportunity. So, the way he played in both innings in the warm‑up and here (1st Test), it's really encouraging."”
thehansindia.com
“"So, the way they bat, how they are adapting to conditions…"”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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