New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- Devdutt Padikkal quietly shut the door on Sai Sudharsan after the Karnataka batter struck back-to-back hundreds against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test series. Having scored a majestic 167 in Galle in the first Test, Padikkal once again stood firm when the chips were down to rescue India after the visitors had lost openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening session.

Having made his debut in 2024 against England at home, the southpaw had to wait eight months to play his second in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. It was followed by a length two-year wait before an opportunity came at the expense of Sudharsan's injury.

One of the cleanest striker's of the ball, Padikkal grabbed the opportunity wit...