India has Revolving door in No. 3: Seven players have played there since the 2023 WTC final, including Padikkal, who made his two Test appearances back in 2024. More recently, he carried the drinks and played as a stand-in for Sai Sudharsen, who has not set the world on fire from the important batting position. When Padikkal emerged during the drinks break in the morning session, none of that was weighing on him. He didn’t need time to allow this occasion to arise. Keshara Nuwantha played a slightly short delivery first and Padikkal pulled it through mid-wicket to get the fourth first ball. In the next over, he came out to hit Prabhat Jayasuriya for six in a row. This situation defined the rest of his innings as runs were taken proactively when pitchers missed, which happened often.
