Devdutt Padikkal has made a very strong statement for India’s number three position.
After his brilliant century against Sri Lanka, it is fair to say that DDP has slammed the door shut on Sai Sudharsan for now. The number three position, at least at this moment, looks to be Devdutt Padikkal’s.
Padikkal reached his maiden Test century from 134 balls on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, making the most of an opportunity that came after Sudharsan was ruled out of the series with a toe injury.
There has been a long debate since Cheteshwar Pujara moved out of India’s Test setup: Who will bat at number three?
This is not an easy position.
Number three is one of the most important spots in any Test batting line-up. You need a technically solid player there. You need someone who can anchor the innings, bat long and handle the pressure when an early wicket falls.
India have had great players in this position. Rahul Dravid carried that responsibility for years. After him, Cheteshwar Pujara made the position his own with patience, technique and hunger for long innings.
So, naturally, there was a big responsibility on whoever came next.
India’s Search After Cheteshwar Pujara
Earlier, Shubman Gill was shifted from opener to number three. But later, when Gill moved from number three to number four, the big question came up again.
Who will bat at number three for India?
Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill backed Sai Sudharsan for the position. Gambhir publicly confirmed ahead of the Afghanistan Test that Sudharsan would continue at No. 3, saying the youngster had not received a fair chance.
At the time Sudharsan was initially picked for Test cricket, his first-class numbers also led to debate because India had several other batters with stronger red-ball records.
Abhimanyu Easwaran had been scoring heavily in first-class cricket and had been waiting for an opportunity for a long time. By late 2025, he had more than 8,000 first-class runs at an average close to 48.
Sarfaraz Khan had also scored piles of runs in domestic cricket and built an outstanding first-class record.
Then there was Devdutt Padikkal, who had an excellent List A record and had also been scoring consistently in red-ball cricket.
Still, India decided to back Sai Sudharsan at number three.
Sai Sudharsan Got Backing, But Did He Do Enough?
Sai Sudharsan got a fair amount of backing from the Indian team management.
But during the England tour, it was clear that he was still finding his way in Test cricket. There were failures, and a few areas in his batting were exposed against high-quality bowling.
He also featured during the South Africa series, including the second Test in Guwahati.
Then came the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Sudharsan played a good innings and scored 81 as India piled up 564/8 declared. It was an important contribution, but it still did not give him his maiden Test century.
That is where the debate remains.
Sudharsan is undoubtedly talented, but India’s number three position demands consistency and big scores.
Before the Afghanistan Test, he had played six Tests, scored 302 runs and averaged 27.45, with two fifties and no century.
For a position carrying the legacy of Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, those numbers were always going to keep the door open for another batter.
And Padikkal was waiting.
Devdutt Padikkal Was Waiting for This Chance
During the Afghanistan series itself, there was an argument that Devdutt Padikkal deserved an opportunity.
The reason was simple.
Padikkal had scored plenty of runs in domestic cricket. He had confidence behind him, and his game against spin made him an interesting option for the Sri Lanka tour.
But Gambhir and Gill continued with Sai Sudharsan against Afghanistan.
Then, before the Sri Lanka series, Sudharsan suffered a stress reaction in his right toe and was ruled out of both Tests. Sarfaraz Khan was called up as his replacement in the squad.
That opened the door for Padikkal at number three.
This was DDP’s moment.
He had to grab the chance. He had to show that he could make the number three position his own.
And he did exactly that.
Warm-Up Hundred Gave the First Signal
Before the first Test, Padikkal had already given the team management a major signal.
He scored an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in the warm-up match, strengthening his case for a place in India’s playing XI.
He looked a class apart.
The confidence was clearly visible in his batting.
More importantly, he was not walking into the Test team without preparation. He had runs behind him. He had form behind him. And most importantly, he had belief.
That warm-up century was the first indication that DDP was ready for the number three role.
Devdutt Padikkal Century Against Sri Lanka Was a Big Statement
Then came the first Test.
On Day 1 in Galle, Devdutt Padikkal produced the innings he needed.
The left-hander reached his maiden Test century from 134 balls while batting at number three and helped India take control of the opening day.
This was not just another hundred.
It was an innings played with the knowledge that he had been handed an opportunity because India’s regular No. 3 was unavailable.
Padikkal looked composed and confident.
He was willing to use his feet against spin, played positively when scoring opportunities arrived and did not allow the occasion to affect his natural game.
That is exactly what you want from a number three batter.
You need someone who can arrive early if an opener gets out quickly but can also build a long innings when there is a platform available.
Padikkal showed that ability in Galle.
Maiden International Century for Devdutt Padikkal 💯
Padikkal smashed century in first Test vs Sri Lanka batting at no. 3 🏏
📷: SonyLiv pic.twitter.com/wW4MlGR6Gw
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 15, 2026
DDP Has Put Sai Sudharsan Under Pressure
From here, Sai Sudharsan should not simply walk back into the playing XI at number three.
At least, it should not be an automatic selection.
Sudharsan missed the Sri Lanka series because of injury rather than being dropped. That distinction is important.
But Padikkal has now done exactly what a replacement player needs to do: take the opportunity and make the team management think twice.
He had already scored a hundred in the warm-up match and followed it with his maiden Test century in Galle.
That changes the equation.
Sai Sudharsan is talented, no doubt. India have backed him for a reason.
But when he becomes fit again, there should now be a proper debate over who deserves the number three position.
Padikkal has put runs on the board.
And at the international level, that is the strongest argument a batter can make.
Devdutt Padikkal Number Three Spot Is Now His to Lose
India have been searching for stability at number three since the Pujara era ended.
It is far too early to compare Padikkal with Rahul Dravid or Cheteshwar Pujara. One century cannot do that, and such comparisons would be unfair.
But what can be said is that Padikkal has taken an important first step.
He has shown technique.
He has shown patience.
He has shown intent.
And, most importantly, he has shown that when an opportunity came, he was ready to take it.
The Devdutt Padikkal number three debate has changed significantly after this innings.
Before the Sri Lanka series, he was effectively another option waiting for his chance.
Now he has a Test hundred from No. 3 and a serious case to keep the position.
Sai Sudharsan will return once he is fit, and India will have another decision to make.
But for now, Devdutt Padikkal has done enough to make one thing clear:
If India want to move him out of number three, there now needs to be a very good reason.
The spot is Padikkal’s to lose.