India, Aug. 15 -- Devdutt Padikkal turned an injury-enforced opportunity into a compelling selection argument on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, producing his maiden Test century and earning rich praise from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar.

Brought into the XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a foot injury, Padikkal walked in at No. 3 after Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32. The left-hander announced himself immediately, driving his first delivery for four before settling into an innings that combined assurance in defence with calculated aggression against Sri Lanka's spinners.

Padikkal shared a substantial partnership with KL Rahul, who made 77 before retiring hurt with cramps after tea. The K...