IND vs SL, 1st Test: Devdutt Padikkal's Maiden Century Sparks Debate on No. 3 Batting Spot

Devdutt Padikkal scored a magnificent maiden Test century on his return against Sri Lanka, becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat on Independence Day. His stellar performance at the No. 3 position has put India in a dominant position and ignited a debate about him being the long-term solution for the crucial batting spot.

Team India batter Devdutt Padikkal played a statement-making century knock on his return in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium on Saturday, August 15.

The visitors finished Day 1 of the opening Test by posting a total of 288/2 in 73 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant batting on 131 and 27, respectively. The vice-captain KL Rahul played a gritty innings of 77 off 162 balls but retired hurt before resuming batting following the tea break, reportedly due to severe cramps.

For Sri Lanka, spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the only wicket-taker as he registered figures of 1/77 at an economy rate of 3.20 in his spell of 24 overs. The rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain India’s batters, with Padikkal and Pant putting the hosts under sustained pressure through the final session.

Padikkal Makes Statement with a Century

As Team India put themselves in a commanding position on Day 1 of the opening Test, Devdutt Padikkal’s century innings was the most talked about, especially given how seamless his transition into the pivotal one-down role looked. Promoted to no.3 in the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal seized the opportunity with both hands.

Walking out to bat after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal at 47/1, the Karnataka batter joined KL Rahul at the crease to carry on India’s innings. Devdutt Padikkal took up the responsibility of anchoring the hosts’ innings while building a strong 155-run partnership with Rahul, who was playing as a second fiddle rather than taking his usual dominant role.

Before the tea break, Devdutt Padikkal was batting on 82 and continued to look completely untroubled against the Lankan bowling attack, eventually reaching his historic maiden Test century off 134 balls. With this, Padikkal became the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day.

Maiden Test Hundred 💯 From The Star Boy Devdutt Paddikal...!! 🔥😍

- Superb Knock From Dev 👏#INDvsSL #DevduttPadikkal #furry pic.twitter.com/3GzjbKcCpg

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 🜲 (@Iamlakshya_18) August 15, 2026

Century and counting 🔥

That feeling when you get to your Maiden Test Ton! 💯

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/M9LVyCAp8y#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/arfiTOrS5v

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2026

Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden international century on his return to Test cricket, with his last appearance in whites coming against Australia in Perth in December last year. Padikkal was not included in the Test series against England but was picked for the red-ball series against South Africa and the West Indies, although he did not get a game.

Before making his return to the Test XI, Padikkal played an innings of 142 off 164 balls during a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo, confirming his no.3 position in Sai Sudharsan’s absence.

Padikkal’s Maiden Ton Sparks Debate Over India’s No. 3 Spot

Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden Test century against Sri Lanka has sparked debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts backing the Karnataka batter to retain his place at No. 3 after his impressive performance in Galle.

Taking to their X handles, many fans hailed Padikkal’s maiden Test century and backed him to cement his place at No. 3, with some even calling him the ideal long-term successor to Cheteshwar Pujara in the crucial batting position. Others praised Padikkal for making the most of his opportunity after spending several matches on the bench.

However, some fans pointed out that Padikkal’s opportunity came only because of the injury to Sai Sudharsan, while others questioned whether one century should be enough to settle the ongoing debate over India’s No. 3 position.

Devdutt Padikkal was made to warm the benches for four home tests on the trot, against WI and SA last year, to accommodate Nitish Kumar Reddy, for his dibbly-dobblies. 

Well, if not for those injuries he would’ve still struggled to make it to the XI despite being in red-hot form…

— Ramachandra.M| ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ (@nanuramu) August 15, 2026

For long long time, Devdutt Padikkal was ignored by Gautam Gambhir just because he plays for RCB. Even here, Padikkal wouldn't have got his opportunity if not for injury to Sudarshan & Padikkal's mammoth 100 in practice match.

No captain or caoch should ever get opportunity for…

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) August 15, 2026

Give him the chance and he would score tons of runs
1st International 100 for Devdutt Padikkal
And what a day to get it on 
15th August🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/hPkMKXOv79

— that_united_boy (@param22twit) August 15, 2026

Devdutt Padikkal is perfect no.3 in test cricket after Pujara.

- Domestic cricket performer getting his due 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/NzE1eOnO7B

— selfless intent 45 (@SabirSingh75263) August 15, 2026

What a moment! 💯🔥 A maiden Test century is always special. Take a bow, what a way to announce yourself on the biggest stage! 👏🏏

— Roman khan (@Romankhan28122) August 15, 2026

He has worked really hard for this hopeful he can now had a long run at no 3

— Ahmad (@arainahmad998) August 15, 2026

Heir to the most important batting position in Indian Cricket! https://t.co/SvsQSP0iYk

— Subham Kumar Agarwal (@SubhamKuma6916) August 15, 2026

Sai Sudharshan 
12 Inngs, 383 runs, 31.91 Avg, 0 100s, 3 50s

Devdutt Padikkal 
4 Inngs, 197 runs, 65.66 Avg, 1 100s, 1 50s

With today’s century, Devdutt Padikkal has firmly secured his place at No. 3! pic.twitter.com/m86h5Ay8oF

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 15, 2026

Well deserved Maiden Century for Padikkal 👏
He is cementing 3rd place in Indian Test cricket team

— ChaZ ✨ (@chandru_tg) August 15, 2026

In his three matches, including the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka, Devdutt Padikkal has scored 221 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 73.66. In his first-class career, the Karnataka batter has an aggregate of 3800 runs, including 9 centuries and 21 fifties, at an average of 43.18 in 56 matches.