Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Devdutt Padikkal's Back-to-Back Hundreds Complicate Sai Sudharsan's India Return
Devdutt Padikkal scored two hundreds in India's Test series against Sri Lanka.
He made 167 in the first Test in Galle.
He then scored 117 in Colombo.
His second innings came after India quickly lost two opening batters.
Sri Lanka dropped catches from Padikkal twice early in his innings.
After those chances, Padikkal batted carefully and handled both fast bowling and spin.
Sai Sudharsan could not play because a toe injury ruled him out.
Sudharsan had also scored two hundreds for India A before the series.
Padikkal's strong performances may now make it harder for Sudharsan to regain his place.
Devdutt Padikkal scored 117 in Colombo after making 167 in Galle.
His second hundred helped India recover after losing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Padikkal survived two dropped catches early in his Colombo innings.
Sai Sudharsan missed the series after a toe injury despite being selected.
Sudharsan's return to India's playing XI now appears more difficult after Padikkal's form.
- Who
- Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, with India and Sri Lanka involved.
- What
- Padikkal scored consecutive Test hundreds, strengthening his claim to retain a place in India's playing XI.
- When
- During India's ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka; Padikkal's innings came after his 167 in the first Test.
- Where
- Galle and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Padikkal's performances came after Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury, creating competition for the batting position.
Padikkal's Selection Case
Sudharsan's Selection Case
Claim to India's batting position
Padikkal's Selection Case
Padikkal's consecutive hundreds, including a 117 in difficult circumstances after early wickets, strengthen his case to remain in the playing XI.
Sudharsan's Selection Case
Sudharsan was initially selected for the series and had scored two hundreds for India A against Sri Lanka A before his injury ruled him out.
Reason for the current selection battle
Padikkal's Selection Case
Padikkal used the opportunity created by Sudharsan's injury to produce major scores and stake a claim for a longer run.
Sudharsan's Selection Case
Sudharsan's absence was caused by injury rather than a poor performance in the reported India A matches, so his return remains a possibility.
- Padikkal's Galle score
- 167 in the first Test
- Padikkal's Colombo score
- 117 from 168 balls
- Batting position
- Padikkal came in at No. 3
- Early match situation
- India had lost KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening session
- Sri Lanka's missed chances
- Padikkal was dropped twice after making one run
- Sudharsan's absence
- A toe injury ruled him out of the Sri Lanka Tests
- Sudharsan's recent record
- He scored two hundreds for India A against Sri Lanka A in unofficial Tests in Galle