Now Reading: Padikkal first Indian to score Test ton on Independence Day
-
01
Padikkal first Indian to score Test ton on Independence Day
Devdutt Padikkal made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to score a Test century on Independence Day, smashing an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls against Sri Lanka in Galle. Batting…
The Story in Brief
Devdutt Padikkal made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to score a Test century on Independence Day, smashing an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls against Sri Lanka in Galle. Batting at number three after replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal's knock featured 12 fours and a six, helping India finish the rain-curtailed opening day on 288 for 2. He shared a 150-run stand with KL Rahul, who retired hurt due to cramps.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar praised Padikkal's technique against spin, calling him 'god sent' for India on turning pitches and suggesting he should retain the number three spot even after Sudharsan returns. Padikkal's innings is his first international century and came in his second Test.
The Indian Opinion
The buzz around Padikkal as a permanent number three is understandable after one sublime innings, but it ignores Sai Sudharsan's consistency in his brief Test career. One hundred on a rank turner does not make a selection crisis; it makes a pleasant headache. The real test will come when Sudharsan is fit and the team management must choose between two in-form left-handers, especially on faster tracks. Will India drop a fully fit Sudharsan based on one innings?
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
