India are currently taking on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. This is the first time that India are playing a World Test Championship match since their humiliating 0-2 series whitewash at the hands of South Africa. On day 1, India were on top, all thanks to Devdutt Padikkal, who smashed his first-ever Test century, becoming the second Indian after Virat Kohli to slam a ton on Independence Day. Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Padikkal’s century has created pressure for Sai Sudharsan.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Devdutt Padikkal had broken the duck of India’s no.3 not scoring a ton after 19 Tests and 35 innings.

“No one had struck a century at No. 3 for India in 19 Tests and 35 innings, and that century drought has been ended. Devdutt Padikkal has done that job. He got a chance to play just his third game in two-and-a-half years,” Chopra said.

“Sai Sudharsan was playing at No. 3, but he got injured, and someone else came and scored runs straightaway. Suddenly, it creates a slight pressure on Sai. Although a good team is one that reinstates someone who went out due to injury, Sai’s case is such that he has scored runs, but not so many that you go towards him,” he added.

Aakash Chopra has also said that Devdutt Padikkal has been unlucky throughout his test career, ever since he made his debyut against England. He has not got enough chances, and now has finally made it count.

“Great things haven’t happened with Devdutt Padikkal. He made his debut two-and-a-half years ago in Dharamsala against England. He scored a fifty as well, and then he was sitting outside. Then he got a Test match in Perth because Rohit Sharma wasn’t there. He scored 0 off 23 balls in the first innings and 25 in the second innings for sure,” the former India opener said.

“However, after that, he was dropped again not only for the entire series, but he didn’t get to play a single Test in 2025. Now that he has gotten a chance, he scored a century, and the good thing was that the shot selection was impeccable. He used the depth of the crease extremely well. He looked in complete control,” he concluded.