![\"Why](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133051700,imgsize-485126,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/devdutt-padikkal.jpg\" "\\"Devdutt")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nTimesofIndia.com in Colombo: <\/span>Big strides, assured footwork, smart use of the crease, fluent shots and solid defence. These were the highlights of Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 off 164 balls at the Nondescript Cricket Club in Colombo on Saturday. The classy left-hander was not a starter when the squad was picked for the series. Still, the moment team management received the update on Sai Sudharsan’s niggle, all efforts focused on keeping Padikkal ready for the opportunity. When the chance came, he delivered. And how.It wasn’t a raging turner, nor were the opposition spinners posing tough questions, but runs always do the confidence a world of good, especially when they coincide with the update on Sudharsan. Since coming into bat in the first over of the second day’s play, Padikkal exuded confidence and scored his runs at a brisk pace even when KL Rahul was happy to buy time at the other end.He controlled the ball and showed equal confidence against both spin and pace, remaining unfazed by the off-spin challenge when Ramesh Mendis and Keshara Nuwantha bowled in tandem. He met most balls under his eyes, and the side-on view of his big strides and the balance with which he operated made it a treat. The 26-year-old hasn’t featured in a multi-day fixture for India since November 2024 but has been making the right noise with the India A side and Karnataka in the domestic circuit.Keeping the calendar in mind, he specifically worked on his game against spin and spent a lot of time perfecting the craft. Even when the management persisted with Sudharsan as the No.3 bat, Padikkal was busy upgrading. When he played the two multi-day fixtures at Galle last month, the left-hander hit two half-centuries and served another reminder of his readiness.It was more of the same at the NCC; in front of a handful of spectators, the timing was ideal. Before the fixture got underway, there was optimism around Sudharsan joining the camp, if not in Colombo, then in Galle. Little did Padikkal know that as he closed in on a brilliant century, Sudharsan’s hopes of boarding the flight evaporated.Come August 15, India won’t need to sweat much over the No. 3 position with Padikkal ready and raring to go. A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes, which was reflected in the ease with which he operated.Back in 2024, chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s addition of Padikkal to India’s Test squad for the home series against England was a surprise pick. The Indian camp was hit by injury concerns, and KL Rahul’s unavailability opened the door for Padikkal, who then made his debut in Dharamsala. One knock in the Ranji Trophy was all it took for the chairman to fast-track the left-hander into the set-up. Padikkal would have certainly thanked his stars that Agarkar’s rare appearance for domestic games included the Tamil Nadu vs Karnataka game in Chennai.The left-hander, at No.3, hit a 218-ball 151 which included 12 boundaries and six sixes. The opposition had a decent bowling attack featuring the likes of Sandeep Warrier, Sai Kishore and Ajith Ram. It was a classic case of one-and-done, and in the next two years, Padikkal has continued to make opportunities count.A big one has now come his way in Sri Lanka, and the two Tests — in Galle and Colombo — present him with a golden chance to cement a spot in India’s batting order.<\/div>\n