The India vs Sri Lanka Test series was a clear statement from India’s batting lineup. While the bowlers delivered results, it was the batsmen who built the platform. Four players delivered crucial performances at different stages.
Devdutt Padikkal was the undisputed star of the series. He was drafted into the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and never looked back. He amassed 328 runs in just three innings at an average of 109.33. This was the fifth-most by an Indian batter in a Test series in Sri Lanka.
He announced his return in spectacular fashion. In the first Test at Galle, he scored a monumental 167. He followed it up with another brilliant century, 117, in the second Test at Colombo. Padikkal broke multiple records during the series. He surpassed Rahul Dravid’s 27-year-old record for the most runs by an Indian in a two-match overseas Test series. He also became the first visiting batter to score multiple centuries in Sri Lanka while batting at number 3. His 328 runs are now the most by any visiting number 3 in a two-match series in Sri Lanka. He was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning 167 in the first Test.
Dhruv Jurel played a defining knock in the second Test. He walked in with Rishabh Pant injured and the top order back in the pavilion. He played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 115 off 177 balls. It was his second Test century and a career-defining innings.
Before this series, Jurel had gone eight innings without a half-century. He responded emphatically, scoring 51 in the first Test and following it up with his century in the second. He shared a vital unbroken 112-run stand for the seventh wicket with Rishabh Pant, which tilted the game in India’s favor. Upon reaching his century, Jurel saluted and pointed to a tattoo on his bicep reading “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
Rishabh Pant did not score a century, but his contribution in the second Test was a masterclass. In the first innings, he was struck on the wrist by a delivery from Lahiru Kumara and forced to retire hurt on just 3 runs. He returned to bat the next day, showing immense courage.
In the second India vs Sri Lanka Test, he scored an unbeaten 63 off 63 balls. He also contributed a steady 51 in the first Test. During the series, Pant surpassed MS Dhoni to become the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test runs away from home, amassing 2,534 runs.
Devdutt Padikkal’s Second Straight Century Helps India Dominate India vs Sri Lanka Test
Devdutt Padikkal continued his dream run in Sri Lanka with his second consecutive Test century. He scored 117 runs off 193 balls on the opening day of the second Test in Colombo. His innings helped India reach 300 for 5 at stumps.
The day was packed with drama. Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in great touch, racing to 45 off 53 balls. He was dismissed by Asitha Fernando, who gave him an animated send-off. Jaiswal turned back and exchanged words with the pacer, and the two came face to face. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva had to step in to calm things down.
India also had an injury scare. Rishabh Pant was struck on the forearm by a short delivery from Lahiru Kumara. He retired hurt on just 3 runs and did not return to bat.
Padikkal held the innings together. He was dropped twice early in his innings but made Sri Lanka pay. He built a 120-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill for the third wicket. Gill reached his ninth Test fifty and also crossed 3,000 Test runs. But he fell soon after for 50.
Ravindra Jadeja provided valuable support with 43 runs. Padikkal reached his century with a single off Prabath Jayasuriya. He was eventually dismissed by Keshara Nuwantha. Jadeja also fell shortly after.
Dhruv Jurel’s Calm Century Strengthens His Case Behind Rishabh Pant
Dhruv Jurel has had an almost unfair task playing Test cricket. He initially had to compete with Rishabh Pant for a place in the India side. Pant is one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in the world. Jurel could not win that battle. But whenever Pant was unavailable, Jurel stepped in and did well enough to keep his place in the squad.
His century was a calm and composed knock. He did not force any shots. He played forward to full balls and back to shorter ones. He hit boundaries off bad deliveries and defended or took singles off good ones. His innings was built on old-fashioned Test match values.
When Jurel reached his hundred, he revealed a tattoo on his bicep that read “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” The slogan was given by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri during the 1965 war. It means “hail the soldier, hail the farmer.” In India, most soldiers come from farming families. Jurel’s grandfather was a farmer and his father was a soldier. He said he did not want to forget his roots.
Jurel has scored 173 runs in this series in a very quiet way. His most memorable shots have been straight drives that hit the non-striker’s stumps. Otherwise, he adds runs without anyone noticing. He had to farm the strike when he was left with the tailenders. He reverse-swept a four and then got stuck on 99 for 13 balls. He finally reached his hundred with a bit of luck.
Former India wicketkeeper KS Bharat has said Jurel is the better pure gloveman. But Pant is the first-choice keeper. When both play in the same team, wicketkeepers usually want to keep the gloves. But Jurel seems to accept his role. As long as he keeps scoring runs, he has no reason to worry.
FAQs
Q. How many runs did Devdutt Padikkal score?
A. Padikkal scored 328 runs in three innings.
Q. How many runs did Dhruv Jurel score in Colombo?
A. Jurel scored an unbeaten 115 runs in Colombo.
Q. How many runs did Pant score in Colombo?
A. Pant scored an unbeaten 63 runs in Colombo.
Q. How many runs did Padikkal score at Galle?
A. Padikkal scored 167 runs in the first Test.
Q. What did Jurel’s tattoo say?
A. His tattoo read “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
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