Devdutt Padikkal’s 167: Record-Breaking Knock Puts Him in Elite Company With Tendulkar and Sehwag

Galle: Devdutt Padikkal has announced himself in Test cricket in spectacular fashion.

The left-handed batter smashed a brilliant 167 against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, scoring his maiden Test century and putting his name alongside some of India’s greatest batters. His innings featured 15 fours and a six, and came off 230 deliveries.

Playing only his third Test, Padikkal emerged as India’s standout batter in a star-studded line-up featuring Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.

But his innings was about much more than just a big score.

Padikkal joins an elite Indian club

With his 167, Padikkal became only the fifth Indian batter to score 150 or more in a Test innings in Sri Lanka.

He joined an exclusive group featuring Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara.

That alone makes the knock a significant milestone in his young Test career.

He breaks Pujara’s record

Padikkal also moved past Cheteshwar Pujara’s record for the highest score by an Indian No. 3 batter in a Test in Sri Lanka.

Pujara had scored 153 in Galle in 2017. Padikkal went 14 runs better, reaching 167 at the same venue.

He also recorded the second-highest score by an Indian No. 3 against Sri Lanka, behind Rahul Dravid’s 177 in Ahmedabad in 2009.

Highest overseas score by an Indian left-handed No. 3

Another record fell during Padikkal’s marathon innings.

His 167 is now the highest score by a left-handed Indian No. 3 batter in an overseas Test.

He surpassed the previous mark of 143, scored by Ajit Wadekar against New Zealand at Wellington in 1968.

For a player still in the early stages of his Test career, it is an extraordinary list of records to enter.

A knock built on patience and confidence

Padikkal’s innings was particularly impressive because he looked comfortable for long stretches against Sri Lanka’s attack.

He came to the crease at No. 3 and steadily built his innings rather than rushing for runs. By the end of the first day, he had already reached 131 not out.

Rain disrupted the second day’s play, but Padikkal returned and continued his charge.

Sri Lanka’s spinners eventually fought back, with Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Keshara Nuwantha accounting for India’s wickets. Yet Padikkal remained India’s most assured batter before finally being dismissed for 167.

A missed double century—but a massive statement

There was a sense that Padikkal could go all the way to a double century.

Instead, he was dismissed on 167 after being stumped off Prabath Jayasuriya’s bowling.

Even so, the innings had already done its job.

India finished their first innings on 462, with Padikkal’s contribution forming the backbone of a huge total.

From injury replacement to record-breaker

Padikkal’s opportunity came after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out through injury.

He grabbed that opportunity with both hands.

After a strong domestic season with Karnataka and an impressive IPL 2026 campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Padikkal carried that confidence into red-ball cricket.

His performances have now created an interesting selection battle for India’s No. 3 position.

For Padikkal, however, the immediate priority was simply making the most of his chance—and he could hardly have done it better.

A maiden Test hundred is impressive.

167 in Galle, alongside the names of Tendulkar and Sehwag in India’s record books, is something else entirely.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.