Devdutt Padikkal: India’s New No. 3 After Two Test Centuries

Saji Chacko

NEW DELHI: Two centuries in Sri Lanka announced the arrival of Rahul Dravid’s heir at No. 3—Devdutt Padikkal.

For more than two decades, India’s No. 3 batting position carried the imprint of one man — Rahul Dravid. It was the slot that demanded the toughest qualities in Test cricket: impeccable technique, immense patience, and the temperament to absorb pressure. Since Dravid’s retirement, India has tried several names, from Cheteshwar Pujara to Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, searching for the perfect fit.

Now, almost from nowhere, Devdutt Padikkal has made the strongest claim to that coveted position.

The stylish left-hander has produced back-to-back Test centuries against Sri Lanka in Galle and Colombo, transforming himself from a fringe player into India’s most dependable No. 3. His performances have reignited comparisons with Dravid—not because he bats the same way, but because he has embraced the responsibility that comes with the position. His two hundreds have also ended India’s long wait for a century from No. 3 in Test cricket and have placed him among an elite group of Indian batters to score multiple centuries in a Test series in Sri Lanka.
Padikkal’s journey has been anything but overnight success.

Born on July 7, 2000, in Edappali, Kerala, he grew up in Hyderabad before his family shifted to Bengaluru, a move that would shape his cricket career.

Batsman for the longest format

Padikkal’s batting is based on classical fundamentals.

Unlike many modern open-chested batsmen, he plays side-on, keeps a still head, and allows the ball to come to him. His cover drive is among the most elegant in Indian cricket.

What has impressed experts most in Sri Lanka is his improved game against spin.

India’s batting coach credited that technical improvement as the biggest reason behind Padikkal’s success saying his preparation had transformed the way he handled spinners on slow subcontinental pitches.

Temperament over flair

Padikkal’s two centuries were not flashy innings. They were innings of control.

His maiden Test hundred in Galle came after a long absence from international cricket and tremendous competition for places. Drafted into the XI after an injury to Sai Sudharsan, he seized the opportunity with an unbeaten century that anchored India’s innings.

He followed it with another composed hundred in Colombo despite surviving two dropped catches early in his innings. Instead of becoming reckless, Padikkal punished every mistake and batted deep into the day, taking India to a commanding position.

That ability to convert chances into big scores is what separates good batsmen from long-term Test players.

History in Sri Lanka Padikkal’s performance in Sri Lanka series is historic.

His twin centuries have helped him surpass records held by some of the finest overseas batsmen. He became the first visiting No. 3 batsman to score two centuries in a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, while also breaking Rahul Dravid’s long-standing record for the most runs by an Indian batter in a two-match away Test series.
At just 26, Padikkal has shown all three.

His rise has been quiet rather than dramatic, built on years of domestic consistency, technical refinement and patience during periods outside the national side. In Sri Lanka, he has finally translated promise into performance.

Devdutt Padikkal has not merely scored two centuries; he has announced himself as the batsman capable of becoming the next long-term pillar of India’s Test batting lineup.