Sitanshu Kotak Praises Devdutt Padikkal's Performance on Test Day 1

On August 16, 2026, Devdutt Padikkal showcased his batting skills during the first day of the Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, scoring a maiden Test century. His performance followed an unbeaten 142 in a warm-up match in Colombo, prompting praise from India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.

Kotak noted Padikkal's adaptability to the conditions and his effective batting strategies, emphasizing the importance of how players handle different stages of the game. He acknowledged the contributions of other players like Sai Sudarshan, while also addressing concerns about the number three batting position.

The pitch conditions were described as dry, with Kotak indicating that while the initial score of 288 for two was promising, the match was still in its early stages. He also commented on K.L. Rahul's versatility in batting positions and addressed a run-out incident involving Yashasvi Jaiswal, attributing it to a misunderstanding between the players.