Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Devdutt Padikkal was “godsent” to solve India’s spin troubles and has urged the team management to retain the Karnataka batter at No. 3, even when Sai Sudharsan returns from injury.
SL vs IND, 1st Test: Day 1 Highlights | Scorecard
Padikkal seized his opportunity on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, scoring his maiden Test century to put India firmly in command. He finished the rain-curtailed day unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, with India reaching 288/2 in 73 overs. His knock also ended India’s 20-Test wait for a hundred from the No. 3 spot.
Drafted into the XI after Sudharsan was ruled out with a foot injury, Padikkal made an instant impact. He smashed his very first delivery for a boundary before taking on Prabath Jayasuriya, stepping down the track to loft the spinner over long-on for a six.
The left-hander looked remarkably comfortable against spin, utilizing his back-foot play to great effect on a slow, turning surface. He balanced solid defense with sharp singles, boundaries, and deliberate charges down the pitch to keep Sri Lanka’s spinners under constant pressure.
“Devdutt Padikkal was the big change that India had,” Manjrekar told Sony Sports. “I really think selection is so good that when you see Padikkal walk in and play spin so comfortably-because he’s good in defense against spin, he’s good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he’s also good at playing attacking shots, and that too off the back foot on slow, turning pitches.”
Padikkal’s tactical approach stood out as Sri Lanka struggled to contain India’s scoring rate. KL Rahul, who scored 77 before retiring hurt with an arm cramp, shared a substantial partnership with Padikkal following Shubman Gill’s early departure for 16. Rishabh Pant then joined Padikkal, with the pair consolidating India’s dominance before rain forced an early close to the day’s play.
Manjrekar was particularly impressed by Padikkal’s ability to generate attack off the back foot, a trait he considers vital on rank turners.
“That’s something remarkable. On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it’s somebody who wants to get onto the back foot. And the best way to play spin on a slow, turning pitch is to play the majority of the bowling off the back foot,” Manjrekar explained.
“Along with that, he’s also got this knack of going down the pitch and hitting the ball over the sight screen. So on pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back, because he looks such a formidable player against spin. I think it was godsent for India—Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 with the kind of spin talent he has.”
Padikkal’s century marks a stark turnaround from his previous Test outing in Perth, where he struggled on a fast, bouncy deck with scores of 0 and 25. In Galle, however, he looked assured from the outset, punishing any lapse in line or length.
India will now look to Padikkal to carry this momentum into Day 2 as they aim to build a massive first-innings total.
– Ends
