Padikkal's Century Steadies India Amidst Pant Scare and Jaiswal Fireworks

Devdutt Padikkal's 117 off 181 balls wasn't just a scorecard entry—it was a masterclass in batting through chaos. After being dropped on 0 and 1, the left-hander punished Sri Lanka's wayward fielding to put India in command at 300/5 on a fiery Day 1 in Colombo. But the real story wasn't the runs; it was the drama that unfolded around them.

The Call

Was it right to bring Padikkal in at No. 3?

• The case for: His technique on turning pitches is textbook, and his...