Padikkal or Sudharsan? Manjrekar makes No. 3 call: ‘He looks formidable’

India’s Devdutt Padikkal celebrates his century during the day one of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Devdutt Padikkal made a strong statement in India’s first Test against Sri Lanka, dominating the opening day in Galle and strengthening his case for a permanent place at No. 3. Drafted into the playing XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with an injury, Padikkal produced a magnificent unbeaten 131 on Day 1. He looked completely at ease against Sri Lanka’s spinners and helped India finish the rain-curtailed opening day on 288/2 after 73 overs.His performance has now earned high praise from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes Padikkal’s ability against spin makes him an ideal No. 3 option for India even after Sudharsan returns.

‘Godsent for India’: Manjrekar praises Padikkal

While Padikkal was compiling his century, Manjrekar took to X to highlight the batter’s impressive technique against spin.“Devdutt Padikkal god sent for India v spinners. Excellent technique, both in defence & attack.”Manjrekar later elaborated on Padikkal’s strengths during a discussion on Sony Sports, pointing to his ability to combine defence, strike rotation and attacking strokes against spin.“Devdutt Padikkal was the big change that India had, I really think selection is so good that when you see Padikkal walk in and play spin so comfortably, because he’s good in defense against spin, he’s good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he’s also good at playing attacking shots, and that too off the back foot on slow, turning pitches, ” Manjrekar said.

Padikkal’s back-foot game stands out

Padikkal repeatedly used the depth of the crease to negate Sri Lanka’s spinners while also stepping out whenever the bowlers offered him an opportunity. One of the standout moments came when he charged Prabath Jayasuriya and lofted the left-arm spinner over long-on for a six.

For Manjrekar, however, it was Padikkal’s ability to score off the back foot on a slow, turning surface that particularly impressed him.“That’s something remarkable. On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it’s somebody who wants to get onto the back foot, and the best way to play spin on a slow, turning pitch is to play the majority of the bowling off the back foot, ” he added.“Along with that, he’s also got this knack of going down the pitch and hitting the ball over the sight screen. So on pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back, because he looks such a formidable player against spin, I think it was godsent for India, Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 with the kind of spin talent he has,” Manjrekar said.

Padikkal makes most of No. 3 opportunity

Padikkal was handed the No. 3 role following Sudharsan’s injury and responded with a career-defining performance. His unbeaten 131 also made him the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day, while he became only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to score an international century on August 15.