Devdutt Padikkal's extraordinary start to Test cricket continued in Colombo on Sunday as the Indian batter brought up his second century in just his sixth Test innings.
The elegant left-hander reached his hundred with a simple single to long-on after moving swiftly through the nervous nineties, further underlining the confidence and control that have defined his early days in international cricket.
Padikkal now has two centuries and two half-centuries from his first six Test innings, a remarkable return for a batter who has quickly established himself as one of India's most reliable performers in the format.
Padikkal cruises to second Test century
There was little sign of nerves as Padikkal closed in on three figures.
Having reached 91, he played two precise cuts in front of point to move to 99 before calmly taking a single to bring up another Test hundred. It was a fitting finish to an innings in which he had largely controlled the tempo and punished Sri Lanka whenever they offered him scoring opportunities.
The century was built on timing rather than recklessness. Padikkal remained composed throughout, picking his moments to attack and showing the patience required to turn another promising start into a major score.
His early fortune did play a role. Sri Lanka dropped him on 0 and again on 1, although the second opportunity was a considerably more difficult chance. From there, however, Padikkal made the hosts pay.
By the time he reached his century, Sri Lanka's missed opportunities had become increasingly costly.
Four scores of 50 or more in six Test innings
Padikkal's numbers make his start even more impressive.
In just six Test innings, he has already registered:
- 2 centuries
- 2 half-centuries
- 4 scores of 50 or more
That level of consistency is an exceptional foundation for any Test career, particularly for a player still establishing himself in India's batting order.
More importantly, Padikkal has shown that his success is not simply based on one standout innings. He has repeatedly found ways to build substantial scores, demonstrating the temperament and technical control needed to succeed in Test cricket.
The tall left-hander is currently making batting look remarkably straightforward.
Sri Lanka rue early missed chances
Sri Lanka will look back at the opening stages of Padikkal's innings with considerable frustration.
Giving a batter of his form two early opportunities can be dangerous, and Padikkal ensured those mistakes were punished. Once he settled at the crease, the Indian batter became increasingly difficult to dislodge.
His ability to move efficiently through the nineties was particularly impressive. Rather than allowing the milestone to create pressure, Padikkal continued to play his natural game and found the boundary twice before completing his century with minimal fuss.
It was the performance of a batter in complete control of both his technique and his confidence.
Padikkal makes strongest possible case for India
India's Test batting order has seen considerable competition for places, but Padikkal is rapidly making himself impossible to ignore.
Two centuries and two fifties in six innings represent an extraordinary opening statement. While it remains early in his career, the consistency of his performances suggests that Padikkal has the temperament to become a long-term fixture in India's Test side.
His current form is also providing India with valuable stability. At a time when Sri Lanka were searching for breakthroughs, Padikkal's composure allowed India to maintain control and continue building their advantage.
For now, the left-hander appears to be operating on a different level.
