Dravid hails Padikkal's maiden Test century in Galle
Rahul Dravid has hailed Devdutt Padikkal for "grabbing" his opportunity with a maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle. Padikkal scored 167 and 44 for Player of the Match, helping India win by 165 runs after replacing injured Sai Sudharsan—news already echoing across cricbuzz and cricket desks.
Key Takeaways
- Padikkal's 167 off 230 balls and 44 in the second innings gave him 211 runs and Player of the Match in Galle.
- Dravid said the batter "got his opportunity and he's really grabbed it" after entering for injured Sai Sudharsan.
- India posted 462 and 193, then bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 and 206 to win by 165 runs.
- Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul (4-76 and 6-55) sealed the victory alongside Padikkal's batting.
- Padikkal's 211 is the highest aggregate by an Indian No. 3 against Sri Lanka since Dravid's 215 in Ahmedabad in 2009.
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What did Rahul Dravid say about Padikkal's knock?
Dravid framed the innings as a classic case of a player making an unexpected chance count. He noted that Padikkal "doesn't get many continuous opportunities" and only came into the side because Sai Sudharsan was injured.
"Got his opportunity and he's really grabbed it," Dravid said, praising both innings and the "really big hundred" in the first. He argued that is exactly what you want from a No. 3: get set early and turn the platform into a match-defining score.
"You make that kind of score, and it really sets up the Test match," he added, saying it was "no surprise" India won comfortably on the back of that batting on days one and two. He was also pleased a player "off the bench" could deliver so strongly.
How did Padikkal's century set up India's win in Galle?
Padikkal's 167 off 230 balls anchored India's 462 in the first innings. He added 44 off 75 before falling LBW to Keshara Nuwantha in the second innings, finishing with 211 for the match.
According to ESPNcricinfo's match report, India then defended totals of 462 and 193 as Sri Lanka replied with 284 and 206. The visitors won by 165 runs in the first Test, played in Galle from August 15 to 19, 2026.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took 4-76 and 6-55—ten wickets in the match—running through the lower order late on the final day after earlier work with Jadeja and the seamers. Padikkal's tone-setting runs and Suthar's haul were the twin pillars of the result.
Why does Padikkal's No. 3 aggregate matter historically?
His 211-run match haul is the highest by an Indian batting at No. 3 against Sri Lanka since Dravid himself made 215 (177 and 38) in Ahmedabad in 2009. Dravid still holds the outright Indian record for most runs by a No. 3 in a single Test: 305 against Australia in Adelaide in 2003 (233 and 72 not out).
That context makes the praise land harder. A former great in the same role is endorsing not just the runs, but the job description: convert starts into big hundreds that set up a Test. Padikkal's Player of the Match award leaves selectors with a clearer case next time the No. 3 spot is contested.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj separately called Suthar a "real gem" after the young left-armer's dream start, underlining how Galle showcased two Indian breakouts in one fixture.