Colombo, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India batter Devdutt Padikkal said he was pleased to demonstrate his ability to score heavily in Test cricket after making a strong impact in India’s 1-0 series win over Sri Lanka.
Padikkal finished the two-Test series with 328 runs at an average of 109.33, including two centuries. He batted at No. 3 after B Sai Sudharsan was ruled out through injury and made the opportunity count.
Reflecting on his performance, Padikkal said his success was particularly satisfying because it validated the consistency he had developed through years of domestic first-class cricket.
“It feels great. Again, coming into this series, once I knew that I was going to get that opportunity, I was really looking forward to it,” Padikkal said in a video posted on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) social media accounts.
“I felt that this is my chance to really prove something and make sure that I show everyone that I’m capable of getting big runs, and I’ve done that throughout my career in first-class cricket as well, and I’m really happy that it showed in the Test arena as well,” he added.
The batter also praised India’s entire squad for maintaining its intensity despite the demanding conditions in Sri Lanka, where heat and humidity made the series physically challenging.
“I think everyone really put their 100 percent effort out there, and it’s a really good sign that we are really pulling towards a common goal,” he said.
Padikkal identified playing spin as one of his key areas of preparation before the tour. He said he was pleased with how effectively he handled Sri Lanka’s spinners and intends to continue improving that aspect of his game.
“I’m really happy that I was able to tackle spin well to the best of my ability, and hopefully I can continue to work on that and get better at it,” he said.
Padikkal also credited Sri Lanka’s batters Sonal and Keshara for their determined resistance on the fifth day of the final Test, which denied India victory.
He said India’s bowlers had tried everything they could but acknowledged that Sri Lanka had “played some good cricket” to earn the draw.
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