Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta stated that India batter Devdutt Padikkal’s position at No. three was not fixed despite his stunning hundred against Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Galle. Team India ended their first innings on 462 all out as well. Padikkal, who had scored a century on the opening day, eventually being dismissed for 167 with 15 boundaries and a six. Deep Dasgupta also credited him for working on his game as well.

“Sai has done well on and off at that number three spot. That slot is very crucial, and you need a fixed player there. I wouldn’t say his (Padikkal) position is fixed after the hundred, but to a large extent it has given you confidence. The wheel has kept on turning. Sai came in his place, but now he is injured, and Padikkal is back. Padikkal read the lengths well, and a massive change in his game has been his footwork, especially in the last 6-7 months. He looks like an improved batter,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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“It is very interesting. The way I see it, Padikkal will bat in this series, no question there. The question comes after this. After this, there is a Test series in November in New Zealand. If his performance is good here, Devdutt also deserves a long rope like Sudharsan then. If he is batting well, it seems like it will be a healthy competition. If he is scoring runs, it does not mean Sudharsan will be out of the scene. For now, Padikkal looked like he was batting with ease, looked solid, and he has given a very good account of himself,” he stated again.

Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill had requested the BCCI for more preparation time before a Test series, after which India played a practice game against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI, arriving well in advance for this series as well.

“I think India winning the toss was a big positive. I felt they would play on a turner, but it looks like a normal subcontinental pitch. It will turn, undoubtedly, but not like it will turn from the first ball. Winning the toss was crucial. India are ahead. They have batted well on this track. They got that camp they were talking about, the time to prepare, coaches also got some time, and we are seeing the results of that,” Deep Dasgupta concluded.