Devdutt Padikkal waited for his India comeback for two years, and when the opportunity arrived, he latched onto it in the best possible way. Padikkal delivered a spectacular show for India in the first Test against Sri Lanka, scoring 167, including 15 fours and a six, before being dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya.

After a stellar knock that put India in a commanding position in the Galle Test, Padikkal said he was working really hard during the time away from the team, hoping to make the most of the opportunity when it arrives, and the southpaw didn’t disappoint himself.

“Yeah, definitely. I’ve dreamt of this moment. For the last two years, I’ve been working really hard to try and make sure that when I get that opportunity, I can do something special like this, and I’m really happy to do that,” Padikkal said at the post-day press conference.

“I think honestly, it’s just the hunger to score more runs. I just enjoy batting out there, and the moment you get to 100, it’s easy to relax and feel that relief. But it’s important that for me, the next 20-30 balls are the really important phase that I try and make sure that I’m completely focused, completely there.”

For Padikkal, the following few deliveries remain an important phase of his innings. It allows him to get his focus back and start fresh towards the bigger milestone. “I think when I get past those first 10 balls after 100, I think it makes my job a whole lot easier. And over the years, I’ve seen so many cricketers get big runs, get big hundreds, especially back in Karnataka. So just watching them bat makes me want to do the same.”

Along with Padikkal, Kl Rahul also made 82, while Dhruv Jurel scored 51 as India finished the day at 460/9 at stumps on Day 2.