India's coach highlights Devdutt Padikkal's preparation as crucial to achieving his first Test century.

NEW DELHI: On the first day of the inaugural Test match against Sri Lanka, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Devdutt Padikkal for his remarkable performance, which included an unbeaten 131 runs. This innings marked Padikkal's first international century and helped India finish the day at a solid 288 for two. The left-handed batsman, who batted at the crucial No. 3 position, showcased a blend of strategic shot selection and adaptability against a Sri Lankan bowling attack known for its spin.

Kotak highlighted that Padikkal's success stemmed from his dedicated preparation, particularly focusing on enhancing his back-foot game at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The coach noted that Padikkal had worked diligently on his techniques to counteract turning deliveries, which proved vital in his innings. “I am so happy for him because he was actually waiting for his opportunity. The way he played here and in the warm-up match, it's really encouraging,” Kotak remarked during the post-match press conference.

According to Kotak, Padikkal's training emphasized various methods to exert pressure on spinners, especially when the pitch conditions favored turn. His ability to shift back and create space, along with the strategic use of sweeps and aggressive charges down the pitch, kept the Sri Lankan bowlers off balance. “Preparation, I would say, overall the way Devdutt was preparing... he was working on his back foot game. We also tried to work on step-out, sweep besides the back foot game,” Kotak explained, attributing much of Padikkal's success to his rigorous training over the past couple of years.

Padikkal's impressive century raises questions about India's batting order, particularly with regular No. 3 Sai Sudharsan expected to return from injury. Kotak indicated that the team prioritizes flexibility over fixed batting positions, emphasizing the importance of players adapting to match situations. “I think Devdutt batted really well. So Sai also has been batting really well at that number. But the thing is they all are new ball batsmen,” he noted, suggesting that performance and adaptability are more critical than rigid roles.

Padikkal's performance also garnered admiration from Sri Lanka's spin and fielding coach, Jordan Gregory, who acknowledged the pressure Padikkal and KL Rahul placed on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Gregory expressed disappointment over Rahul's injury but commended Padikkal's superb batting. He also praised debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha for his impressive performance, stating, “It’s very encouraging to see that Kesh on his debut had asked a lot of questions and created a lot of opportunities.”