IND vs SL: Devdutt Padikkal registers Maiden Century as India dominate Day 1 in Galle

Karnataka left-hander Devdutt Padikkal marked a career milestone by scoring his maiden Test century for India on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.

Batting at No. 3 in only his third Test appearance, the 26-year-old reached the landmark off 134 balls. His innings featured nine fours and one six. Padikkal walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32 and formed a crucial 150-run second-wicket partnership with fellow Karnataka batter KL Rahul.

Padikkal showed positive intent from the start, lofting left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a six early on. He blended caution with aggression against Sri Lanka's spin attack, using excellent footwork and reach to handle the turn on a challenging surface. He brought up his fifty off 81 balls before accelerating to complete the hundred with a single to mid-off, celebrating with a clenched fist and jump.

The opportunity arose after regular No. 3 B. Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series due to injury. Padikkal had built form with an unbeaten 142 in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI. His century ends India's long wait for a Test hundred from the No. 3 position-the first since Shubman Gill's ton against Bangladesh in 2024. He also becomes only the second left-hander in the 21st century to score a Test century at No. 3 for India, after Sourav Ganguly.

The 26-year-old has continued his prowess at Galle as he remained unbeaten on 131 at the end of the day's play. India have built a strong foundation on Day 1 as they are 288 for 2, with Padikkal and Rishabh Pant (27*) at the crease.