Devdutt Padikkal century vs SLC XI: warm-up boost

Why did Day 2 matter for India at Colombo?

Day 2 of India’s three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka Cricket XI (SLC XI) at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, swung on a single name: Devdutt Padikkal. He arrived at three figures on 8 August 2026, batting at number 3, giving India an anchor moment after the match context looked tough. The bigger question for selectors was simple—could he turn this warm-up into a credible Test-series claim on turning surfaces and changing match situations?
His hundred didn’t just add runs; it shifted the tempo of India’s reply and pushed the narrative back toward India’s batting core.

How did Padikkal reach 103—and what changed in his innings?

Padikkal’s 103 off 121 balls came with 14 boundaries/14 fours before he was retired out/withdrawn, with the scoreboard reading 168/2 at the time he completed the milestone. He brought it up with a boundary through mid-wicket/square leg, but the route there had a scare. The milestone arrived after he survived a chance at 99, when a caught-and-bowled opportunity off Ramesh Mendis was put down.
That drop matters in warm-ups—confidence on reprieves often turns into clean scoring. He hit his century after one more reprieve than the bowlers deserved, and the timing of it let India move from “survival mode” to controlled accumulation. As first reported by Crictracker, India’s innings was steadied before the hundred, and his push into three figures became the visual proof that the left-hander could occupy time against Sri Lanka XI’s attack. (Extra context on set-up and later totals is still consistent with the available match updates.)
Bridge to the next question: if a century changes momentum, what did the match itself demand from India’s chase situation?

What was the match situation—and did India close the gap after the milestone?

The warm-up carried pressure from the start. Sri Lanka XI had posted 363/8 declared in their first innings, meaning India batted behind the eight-ball from the opener stage. India also lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early and, even with Padikkal anchoring, the run-rate couldn’t be treated like a free hit.
Still, the innings moved in the right direction after the century. India were 168/2 when Padikkal reached 103 and Rishabh Pant replaced him. By later Day 2 live updates, India reached 174/4, and they were also reported at 180/4 at Tea, continuing to trail by 183 runs—a figure that kept the contest alive rather than turning it one-sided.
That’s the balance a selector looks for: a batter who can score set while the total situation remains under strain. Bridge to the next question: what does this say about Padikkal’s selection case, and what happens immediately next in India’s planning?

What does this century do for Padikkal’s Test-series claim—and what’s next?

This was not just a box-tick hundred. The innings was described as a strong case for Padikkal to strengthen his claim for a spot in India’s Test series plans ahead of the Sri Lanka tour. The fact he batted at No. 3, reached the milestone with 14 fours, and did it under a declared-innings deficit framework makes it a more convincing audition than a chase-friendly scenario.
There were no injuries or suspensions reported in the available source extracts, other than Padikkal being retired out/withdrawn after he reached his century. That means India’s management could treat the knock as usable batting time rather than a forced exit from discomfort.
What’s next is straightforward. The coaching group will now have fresh video and wicket-by-wicket reads of Padikkal’s shot selection—especially how he handled the moment at 99—as India moves toward final squad combinations.

Verdict: Padikkal’s 103 (121 balls, 14 fours) came at No. 3 on Day 2 and materially steadied India despite Sri Lanka XI’s 363/8 declared.

FAQs

What did Devdutt Padikkal score in the warm-up vs SLC XI?

Padikkal scored 103 for India in the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo. He reached the hundred on 121 balls, hitting 14 fours, and retired out after the milestone.

How many balls did Padikkal take to reach his century?

He reached three figures in 121 balls. The milestone was completed after he survived a chance at 99 off Ramesh Mendis, before finishing with a boundary through mid-wicket/square leg.

Where did Padikkal bat, and who replaced him after the century?

Padikkal batted at number 3. When he retired out/withdrew after scoring 103, Rishabh Pant replaced him, and India continued their innings after reaching 174/4 later in the day and being reported at 180/4 at Tea.

Did India have to chase a target in this warm-up?

This warm-up followed Sri Lanka XI’s 363/8 declared first innings, leaving India batting in a behind-the-deficit situation. The available updates show India still trailed by 183 runs at Tea on Day 2.
Bottom line: Padikkal didn’t just score—he timed the breakthrough on Day 2, proving he can convert reprieves into innings when the match context isn’t easy.
Source: Crictracker