Devdutt Padikkal’s Maiden Century Puts India on Top vs Sri Lanka
Devdutt Padikkal struck his maiden Test century to put India in a commanding position on day one of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with India closing on 288/2 — a landmark match that is also India’s 600th Test.
Day one scorecard summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Galle International Stadium |
| India’s score (stumps, Day 1) | 288/2 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 131* (134 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) |
| Rishabh Pant | 27* (not out at stumps) |
| Strike rate (Padikkal) | 74.81 |
| Match significance | India’s 600th Test match |
How the innings unfolded
Batting at number three, Padikkal combined watchful defence against the new ball with calculated boundary-hitting once set, and was especially effective against Sri Lanka’s spin attack — most notably left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. His century arrived after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early, who was run out following a collision with the bowler.
Why this century matters
India’s number three position has been a problem spot: across the previous 19 Tests, seven different batters were tried there, averaging just 27.28 with only five fifty-plus scores in 35 innings. Padikkal’s unbeaten 131 is a significant answer to that instability.
The innings also carries historical weight: Padikkal became only the second left-handed Indian batter to score a Test century at number three in the 21st century, after Sourav Ganguly’s 136 against Zimbabwe in 2002 — placing his knock in select company more than two decades on.
What it means for the series
- A settled number three, finally. If Padikkal builds on this start across the series, it resolves a slot that has unsettled India’s top order for nearly two years.
- Momentum for the tour. A commanding 288/2 at stumps puts Sri Lanka on the back foot early in a series where conditions typically favour spin.
- A symbolic 600th Test. The milestone match adds extra context to a batting performance that could define the series.
Frequently asked questions
What was Devdutt Padikkal’s score in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka?
He was unbeaten on 131 off 134 balls (9 fours, 1 six) at the end of day one, his maiden Test century.
Where is the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test being played?
At the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka, starting 15 August 2026.
Why is this Test significant for India beyond the scoreline?
It is India’s 600th Test match, and Padikkal’s century is only the second by a left-handed Indian batter at number three in the 21st century, after Sourav Ganguly in 2002.
Scorecard and match details as of stumps, Day 1, 15 August 2026. Figures may be updated as the Test progresses — check live scorecards for the latest.
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