Padikkal’s Unbeaten 142 Puts Him in Pole Position for India’s No. 3 Spot

Padikkal’s Unbeaten 142 Puts Him in Pole Position for India’s No. 3 Spot

Devdutt Padikkal has made a strong statement in the race for a place in India’s Test team after scoring an unbeaten 142 on the second day of the three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI in Colombo.

India ended the day on 357 for six, just a few runs short of Sri Lanka XI’s first-innings total. Padikkal was the mainstay of the Indian innings, showing patience and confidence as he built an impressive century.

While several of India’s more experienced batsmen got starts but failed to turn them into big scores, Padikkal stayed at the crease and made his opportunity count. His ability to settle in, play patiently and build a long innings will certainly have caught the attention of the selectors.

His timing could hardly be better. Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a toe injury. That has left an opening in India’s middle order, with the No. 3 position now up for grabs.

Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 gives him a major boost in the selection race. The Karnataka left-hander has shown that he can handle pressure and make the most of his chances when given an opportunity.

There is still one day left in the warm-up match, so other contenders will have another chance to impress. But for now, Padikkal is very much the man in the spotlight.

If he can carry this confidence into the Test series, his century in Colombo could prove to be the innings that earned him a place in India’s starting XI.