India, Aug. 16 -- Devdutt Padikkal played a pitch-perfect knock in the first innings of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, bringing up his maiden century in the format and bolstering India's position in the crucial tie. The left-handed batter from Karnataka displayed ample elegance, mixing caution with aggression, throwing the Sri Lanka bowlers off their line and length, especially the spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. The 26-year-old entered the contest on the back of a ton in the warm-up match against SLC XI and made full use of his rich vein of form.

Had Sai Sudharsan been fit and available for the series, Padikkal might not have started in the playing XI, but with his century, the batter has arguably confirmed his plac...