Devdutt Padikkal Scores 167 and 44 in First Test Against Sri Lanka

Devdutt Padikkal made a significant impact in the first Test against Sri Lanka, scoring 167 and 44 runs, while facing competition for a long-term position in India’s batting line-up. B Sai Sudharsan currently occupies the No. 3 spot, meaning that high-scoring performances alone do not guarantee a permanent place in the team.

Although Padikkal is almost assured of a spot in the second Test of the series, he is cautious about his future involvement. After the third day’s play, he mentioned he has not discussed his potential number of Tests with team management or selectors. “It’s important that whenever you get that opportunity, you have to just take it – I don’t really go looking for those conversations,” Padikkal stated. He emphasized the importance of performance, noting, “For me, it’s important that whenever I get that chance, I perform.” He acknowledged the highly result-driven nature of modern cricket, explaining that players are always under the pressure to deliver runs, with job security closely linked to performance.

During his first innings, Padikkal shared a 150-run partnership with KL Rahul until Rahul had to retire hurt due to severe cramps. Padikkal expressed his enjoyment of batting with Rahul, highlighting their familiarity as Karnataka teammates: “Batting with KL has always been enjoyable… we play well with each other.” He reflected on their understanding of each other’s batting styles and how their chemistry aids in building strong partnerships.

Padikkal also mentioned his interactions with legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid, who was the head coach during Padikkal’s Test debut. “Dravid has always been a great support… he has always been open to having a chat whenever I needed to,” Padikkal noted, appreciating the helpful nature of senior players in the squad.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn