Starboy Devdutt Padikkal carves maiden Test century to headline India’s charge on Day 1
Devdutt Padikkal descended in Galle in his most intimidating avatar as India rocked and rolled on the first day of the first Test without any mercy.
Padikkal walked out to bat at number three when India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal. DDP got off the mark in style, hammering one over mid-wicket against Keshara Nuwantha.
RCB’s Starboy made it clear that he was out in the middle for blood as he pummelled Prabath Jayasuriya for a maximum down the ground and he was still fairly new to the crease.
If there was one thing that DDP was clear about that he had no intentions of overdoing things. He maintained a good balance between his belligerence and calm, deftly switching gears, whenever he could.
Padikkal got to his fifty in 81 balls, getting a single against Lahiru Kumara as the crowd burst in cheers of ‘DDP’. Padikkal never really looked uncomfortable in the center, picking his shots wisely enough. Getting to his fifty, DDP was quick to accelerate, propelling India to a more formidable stance.
He brought up his first Test ton by getting a single against Keshara Nuwantha, a fitting cap on his crown, considering his recent form in red-ball cricket. By the end of the day, DDP stayed unbeaten for 131 as India posted 288.
