India, Aug. 27 -- Devdutt Padikkal has really cashed in on his chances in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka that culminated earlier today. In the three innings, the Karnataka batsman came up with scores of 167, 44 and 117 to strengthen his No.3 credentials. But if not for an injury to Sai Sudharsan, India's No.3 for some time now, Padikkal would not have been given that batting slot but the 26-year-old has now made the most of his lucky stars, and there is a strong possibility that when India next play a Test - against New Zealand in November - we will see him playing at No.3 instead of Sudharsan.

But Padikkal doesn't want to confine himself to one position. After being chosen the Man-of-the-Series for his 328 runs, the batsman said ...