Galle, Aug. 17 -- Indian batter KL Rahul expressed happiness at state-mate Devdutt Padikkal's maiden Test ton, reflecting on their bonding since the left-hander was coming through the ranks in U19 cricket and expressing confidence that he will reach into a zone where he will be more consistent with bigger knocks for Team India.

Padikkal, playing at number three in the absence of an injured Sai Sudharsan, took a giant leap in securing his spot in the Test side with a well-paced 167 in 230 balls against Sri Lanka at Galle, with his game against spin being the defining feature of his knock.

Speaking in a video by BCCI, Padikkal said, "Obviously, coming from the same state, Dev is somebody that, you know, I have seen come through the ranks ...