For a significant portion of his Test career, Devdutt Padikkal has been waiting for his turn. The Karnataka left-hander has struggled to supplant fellow Karnataka batsman Sai Sudharsan as India's second-choice opener, with limited opportunities coming his way.

That situation changed when India toured Galle for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on August 15, 2026. With Sudharsan ruled out through a big-toe injury, Devdutt Padikkal rose to the occasion, scoring a well-deserved century on debut.

Left-hander Devdutt Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 from 178 balls at the end of day one's play. His century has raised intriguing questions about his future in the team. By virtue of this tone, the left-hander has made a compelling case for himself as a regular member of the Test squad rather than just as a second fiddle when the openers are unavailable.

Top 3 reasons why Devdutt Padikkal should retain his 3rd spot in the Test batting lineup

1. Sai Sudharsan's Numbers Leave the Door Open

Sai Sudharsan has had the backing of the Indian team management, including captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, but his returns in Test cricket have been far from convincing so far.

The 26-year-old has managed to score 31.91 per inning after seven tests, hitting three half-centuries but not a single century. Before facing off against Afghanistan, Sudharsan posted 302 runs in six Tests with an average of 27.45.

While neither a spectacular nor a dismal statistic, it might not be enough to assure the selectors that the opening batter from Karnataka is the best fit for the third spot in the line-up.

Especially now, with the recent performance of Padikkal, the intrigue around the position has only intensified. It is high time for India to decide on their number three, and if they are to choose between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, then the former now has a greater chance to earn his place on merit.

2. Devdutt Padikkal's Red-Ball Record Was Already Strong

When Devdutt Padikkal scored his first Test ton at Galle, the Rajasthan batter didn't come out of nowhere. His first-class record is already strong, with a run that makes plenty of sense.

The 25-year-old has already amassed 3800 runs in 56 first-class matches, with an average of 43.18. The 2025/26 Ranji season was his best yet, as he scored 543 runs in 6 matches with an outstanding average of 60.33.

That includes his career-best 232 runs against Uttarakhand, and an unbeaten 120 in only 85 balls against Punjab. He displayed that his game is built to play long innings, but the 25-year-old can also switch up his game to score quick runs.

In fact, his red-ball game has been consistent across formats. He has racked up 67 and 94 runs in the multi-day India A vs. Sri Lanka A series, before hitting an unbeaten 142 runs in 164 balls in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.

This means that his 131 runs in Galle were another step in a steady march up the ranks, and not necessarily an outlier.

3. Positional Flexibility Could Strengthen India's XI

Speaking of stepping up, Devdutt Padikkal's potential as a batter is not necessarily limited to the third position in the batting order.

Although the Karnataka product has been a very solid number three, he has the flexibility to also bat at the top of the order or as a lower-order hitter. This flexibility has the potential to benefit India's XI, especially since it gives them options when choosing their side.

As mentioned earlier, Sai Sudharsan was the main option at the third position for now, but he has been mostly a number three batter in his limited Test matches. Meanwhile, Padikkal can be deployed in some different positions in the batting order. This makes him valuable in a Test series that stretches out to five matches, as injuries can occur, and different batsmen may be needed depending on the match conditions.

Additionally, his game against spin bowling is promising. He has displayed the ability to use his feet to the spinner, but he also has a range of shots to score runs, including attacking the googly from deep inside the crease. This makes him a good candidate to face spin bowling in the subcontinent.

Devdutt Padikkal Has Turned an Opportunity Into a Statement

India's number three position has become a bit of a hotly contested issue, it would seem. Sudharsan was the first name on the lips, but injuries have allowed Padikkal to step in and take advantage of the situation. The 25-year-old has turned this opportunity into a strong first Test century.

He has proven his credentials with his first-class record, and he has also backed it up with his recent performance in the India A side, which means that his ability in the Tests wasn't a fluke.

In this one series, he has scored more runs than Sudharsan, and although it's a small sample size, his opportunity has been greater than the other number three batter. If he keeps scoring runs, it will become harder to keep him waiting for another chance.

That's actually not a bad thing for India, because it means they have two exciting left-handers in their Test squad. With the 2027 World Test Championship on the horizon, this sets up a nice rivalry for the number three position.

For Devdutt Padikkal, meanwhile, it's all about taking advantage of his chances. His statement in Galle could be the opportunity he needs to finally stick around in the Test team.