Photo by Lionel Allorge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (representative cricket image)
Devdutt Padikkal’s 328 runs across the two-Test series against Sri Lanka have earned him the Player of the Series award, capping a breakthrough tour for the left-handed opener.
Padikkal averaged over 109 in the series, striking two centuries including a career-best 167, after being drafted into the side following Sai Sudharsan’s injury.
“It feels great. Coming into the series, once I knew I was going to get that opportunity, I was looking forward to it, that this was my chance to really prove something,” he said.
Padikkal also spoke about facing Sri Lanka’s spin attack, saying he was “happy I was able to tackle spin well, to the best of my ability.”
The series ended 1-0 in India’s favour after a 165-run win in Galle, with the second Test in Colombo drawn following Sonal Dinusha’s twin centuries for Sri Lanka.
“When you come to Sri Lanka, you always expect that spin challenge, and I was personally looking forward to the same, making sure I was prepared really well leading up to the series,” Padikkal said.
“Now I am happy I was able to tackle spin well, to the best of my ability, and I hope I continue to work on it and get better at it,” he added.
India won the series 1-0 after taking the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, before Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha batted the hosts to an epic draw in the second Test at Colombo with an unbeaten 133.
Dinusha, who scored a century in each innings of the second Test, was named Player of the Match for his efforts, even as Padikkal’s series-long consistency saw him take the overall series honour.
India’s failure to close out the second Test meant the side missed out on a share of crucial World Test Championship points that a series sweep would have brought.
Photo by Lionel Allorge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (representative cricket image)
