Devdutt Padikkal scores century vs Sri Lanka in practice game: Fans relieved as RCB star delivers with bat amid Sai Sudharsan injury

Devdutt Padikkal scores century vs Sri Lanka in practice game: Fans relieved as RCB star delivers with bat amid Sai Sudharsan injury originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Devdutt Padikkal scored a century in India's warm-up game against a Sri Lanka XI.

The knock strengthens his case for the number three spot vacated by Sai Sudharsan.

Fans and analysts were relieved to see the RCB batter deliver in Colombo.

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Devdutt Padikkal hits timely century in India warm-up game

Devdutt Padikkal has made a strong statement for a place in India's top order, scoring a well-made century in the warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. At the end of Day 2, Padikkal remained not out at 142 as India crossed 300-run mark.

The Karnataka batter's hundred came at the perfect moment, with India's number three spot suddenly up for grabs.

Padikkal reached his century off 121 balls at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground before retiring out to give the middle order time in the middle. The left-hander had earlier weathered the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal, sharing a rebuilding stand with KL Rahul.

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The timing of the innings could hardly have been better. It arrived just as designated number three Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the entire two-Test series against Sri Lanka with a right big toe injury, opening the door for a like-for-like replacement.

Padikkal, whose last India appearance came in the opening Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Perth, is part of the 15-man squad for the series. His century has positioned him as the frontrunner to bat at number three when the first Test begins in Galle on August 15.

MORE: Sai Sudharsan ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series: Three players who can replace injured Indian batter

Fans and analysts react to Devdutt Padikkal's century

The hundred sparked a wave of relief among supporters and pundits, many of whom see it as a settling moment for a squad already hit by injuries. Several noted how neatly the innings dovetailed with Sudharsan's absence.

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RevSports journalist Subhayan Chakrabarty highlighted the boost it offered the team management. He wrote, "Devdutt Padikkal's century will give the Indian team management some confidence with Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the series."

India Today assistant editor Rahul Rawat went further, calling for Padikkal to be given an extended run in the side. He posted, "Devdutt Padikkal gets a hundred in the warm-up game ahead of the Lanka Test series. Now that he is certain to play the first Test in Galle at No.3, would like to see him being given a longer rope beyond this series too."

Fans echoed that sentiment while acknowledging the tough break for Sudharsan. One supporter wrote, "Not a good time to be Sai Sudharsan as the door opens up for Padikkal. Ruled out."

Another added, "A timely hundred for Devdutt Padikkal here in Colombo, especially with Sai Sudharsan looking increasingly likely to be ruled out of the entire Test series."

For someone whose presence in the national team has been an afterthought, this was exactly what was needed to push him in the selectors' eyes. And the loyal RCB fanbase were all for it

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Why Padikkal's runs matter more than a warm-up hundred usually would

A century in a tour game rarely carries much weight, but the context here lends this one genuine significance. With Sudharsan sidelined and India's specialist batting stocks stretched thin, Padikkal has answered the one question that mattered by proving his touch against spin in the exact conditions that await in Galle.

The bigger picture is whether this earns him more than a one-series audition. Padikkal has long been rated for his elegant strokeplay yet has struggled to nail down an India place, and Rawat's call for a longer rope reflects a wider hope that the management shows patience for once.

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If he carries this form into the Tests, India may finally have found the settled number three they have been searching for.

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