Padikkal extremely serious about batting, says Venkatesh Prasad

Devdutt Padikkal made a significant return to Test cricket after nearly two years away, delivering a commanding performance in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. The 26-year-old Karnataka southpaw amassed 167 runs in the first innings, batting through 230 balls and striking 15 fours and one six. He followed this with a composed 44 in the second innings, demonstrating consistency across both innings of the match.

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad offered an extensive assessment of Padikkal’s performance and approach to the game. Prasad highlighted the quality of the batter’s technical execution and mental application throughout the contest.

“You can’t take any credit away from that performance. Superlative performance. He was solid in his defense, in his shot selection, and there was not a single shot that he played across. It was all through the line, with the spin, using his feet, playing on both sides. It shows a man in form throughout the season,” Prasad said while speaking on Sony Sports Network.

“We spoke about that, and I already said that he got a lot of runs in the domestic circuit and then carried on that form and momentum into the shorter format. He brought it here and got a hundred in the warm-up game as well. His focus and concentration has been fantastic. He is extremely serious about his batting, so it is great to see. Also, having a left-hander gives an advantage to the team as well,” he added.

Prasad’s assessment of Padikkal’s serious approach

Padikkal’s last Test appearance had come in November 2024, and he made his return to the format a notable moment in his career. His performance at Galle marked a successful reintegration into the Test squad after the extended absence. The batter was eventually stumped off Prabath Jayasuriya in the first innings, but his overall contribution to India’s innings was substantial.

Also Read: Padikkal stood out in both innings with composure, elegance and quality stroke-making: Dinesh Karthik

Padikkal’s aggregate of over 200 runs across both innings placed him in rare company among Indian batters. He became only the third Indian to amass 200-plus runs at number three in an away Test, joining the elite list that includes Rahul Dravid and Sanjay Manjrekar. This achievement underscored the significance of his performance in Sri Lanka.

Padikkal would look to build on his performance in Galle when he steps onto the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, the venue for the decisive second Test, which gets underway on Sunday, August 23.

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us: