IND vs Sri Lanka Warm-up Test: Devdutt Padikkal Answers India’s No. 3 Question With Classy Fifty… Is His Spot Sealed?

Colombo: Devdutt Padikkal has given India plenty to think about ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

The Karnataka batter struck a composed half-century on Day 2 of India’s warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, strengthening his case for a place in the Indian top order.

Padikkal is part of India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series, but with competition for places in the batting lineup, the left-hander needed a strong performance to put his name firmly in the conversation.

And he delivered.

Padikkal steps up when India need him

Sri Lanka Cricket XI won the toss and opted to bat first, eventually declaring at 363/8 early on Day 2.

The hosts were powered by useful contributions from Nishan Madushka (66), Ravindu Rasantha (71) and captain Sonal Dinusha (52). Pasindu Sooriyabandara (35), Pavan Rathnayake (39) and Ramesh Mendis (32) also played important roles in taking the Sri Lankan side beyond the 350-run mark.

India’s reply got off to an uncomfortable start.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, while captain KL Rahul fell after making 40. With India needing a partnership to settle down, Padikkal joined Ravindra Jadeja and began rebuilding the innings.

While Jadeja remained relatively watchful, Padikkal took responsibility for keeping the scoreboard moving.

His strokeplay was controlled rather than flashy, but that was precisely what made the innings stand out. The batter looked comfortable against the Sri Lankan attack and gradually turned his start into a significant contribution.

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No. 3 spot suddenly looks interesting

Padikkal’s innings could not have come at a more important time for the Indian team.

Sai Sudharsan, who was being considered for the top-order role, is currently unavailable because of injury and is reportedly continuing his recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Sudharsan was also absent from the travelling squad that left for Sri Lanka.

That potentially opens the door for Padikkal, who offers a similar left-handed batting option and now has an opportunity to make the No. 3 position his own.

The Karnataka batter has already experienced Test cricket, although his last appearance for India came in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth in 2024.

A strong performance in Colombo could therefore be exactly what he needed to remind the selectors of his ability at the international level.

Padikkal closes in on a century

At the time of writing, Padikkal had moved to 82 off 107 balls, with India on 143/2 after 36 overs.

The half-century has already strengthened his case, but a century would make the statement even louder.

With the first Test scheduled to begin in Galle on August 15, India still have time to assess their options. But Padikkal has made sure that the No. 3 debate will not be an easy one for the team management.

For now, the message from Colombo is clear: Padikkal wants that spot — and he is making the selectors notice.