Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal has scored his maiden Test century in his third match for India, capping a patient journey through injury call-ups, domestic captaincy, and IPL success.
With a scrambled single to mid-off, Devdutt Padikkal brought up his maiden Test hundred, becoming the 84th player to achieve a Test century for India. The milestone arrived in only his third Test appearance spread across a span of 29 months, reflecting the intense competition for places in the Indian batting lineup.
Padikkal’s Test career began with opportunistic call-ups due to injuries. He made his debut against England in March 2024 after Rajat Patidar suffered a left ankle injury on the morning of the match, responding with a graceful 65 at No. 4. Eight and a half months later, an SOS brought him into the side for the first Test against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium after Shubman Gill fractured his left thumb. Battling tough conditions, Padikkal was dismissed twice by Josh Hazlewood, scoring 0 and 25.
Outside the national team setup, Padikkal elevated his game in both domestic and franchise cricket. In IPL 2026, he scored 464 runs at a strike-rate of 168.72 at No. 3 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, helping them retain their title alongside Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. He was also handed the Karnataka Ranji Trophy captaincy midway through the season by Amit Verma’s selection panel, replacing Mayank Agarwal and leading his state to the final in Hubbali against Jammu & Kashmir.
His steady progress caught the eye of Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Following Karun Nair's limited success during the tour of England and a difficult series against South Africa in November, India sought reliable top-order options. With Sai Sudharsan unable to maintain consistent performances at No. 3, Padikkal seized his opportunity, turning long-term preparation into a career-defining Test century.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.