Devdutt Padikkal Century: Devdutt Padikkal has etched his name into India's Test history after producing another century against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The left-hander reached three figures from 168 balls on the opening day of the second Test, completing his second Test hundred. Padikkal's latest landmark is particularly significant because it came immediately after his outstanding 167 in the first innings of the opening Test in Galle. His back-to-back centuries have ended a long wait for an Indian No. 3 batsman to achieve the feat in consecutive overseas Tests.

Padikkal Repeats Pujara's Rare Feat

Before Padikkal, the last Indian No. 3 to score centuries in successive Tests outside the country was Cheteshwar Pujara during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Pujara struck 106 in Melbourne before producing an even bigger 193 in Sydney.

Since then, no Indian batsman occupying the No. 3 position had managed to score centuries in consecutive overseas Tests.

Padikkal has now matched that achievement with his superb run against Sri Lanka, giving India another promising sign in their evolving Test batting order.

Century Partnership With Gill Builds India's Recovery

Padikkal walked in after KL Rahul was dismissed for 18 and immediately looked composed.

He first added 29 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal before taking India's innings forward alongside captain Shubman Gill.

The pair put together a valuable 120-run stand for the third wicket, helping India recover from a shaky start.

Gill eventually completed his half-century before being dismissed for 50, but Padikkal remained at the crease and continued towards his landmark.

His innings was not entirely without fortune, however. The batsman survived two early opportunities, with his first escapes coming when he was on zero and one respectively.

India Lose Jaiswal And Rahul Early

India opted to bat first after winning the toss but endured a difficult beginning.

KL Rahul fell cheaply before Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had made 45, was bowled by Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando.

Padikkal's century therefore assumed even greater importance as India attempted to recover from the early setbacks.

The second Test also featured a change to India's playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav missed the match because of an infection, allowing off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain to make his international debut.