Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 in India's six-wicket warm-up win over Sri Lanka Cricket XI has drawn high praise from India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who called the knock 'really good' as the team gears up for the Test series against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August in Galle. The left-handed top-order batter's commanding innings, laced with 18 boundaries, offered a significant fillip to India's batting plans, particularly at the crucial number three slot.

Why Padikkal's knock matters

The timing of Padikkal's performance could not have been more critical. B Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the series due to a right toe injury, leaving a vacancy in the top order that Padikkal now appears best placed to fill. His unbeaten century across a three-day fixture against a competitive Sri Lankan second-string side suggests he is match-ready ahead of a demanding Test assignment.

'I think Devdutt batted really well. For me, Devdutt's innings was really good,' Kotak said in a video on Monday.

What the coaching staff took away

Kotak was emphatic that the warm-up match delivered more than any extended net session could have. 'I think it was very good and productive because practicing in nets for four more days won't be as productive as playing the practice match,' he said. He noted that bowlers bowled with strong intensity and received the workload required — with all specialist bowlers, barring Auqib Nabi, completing 18 to 20 overs across the fixture.

The batting coach also singled out the lower-order hitting of Mohammed Siraj and Gurnoor Brar as a notable positive, alongside the effort the seamers put in on a flat surface that offered them little assistance. 'The way Gurnoor also bowled, and our fast bowlers put a lot of effort on the wicket where there was nothing. All in all, it was a very good practice match,' Kotak added.

India chase down 207 on day three

India successfully chased a target of 207 runs in the final session on day three to seal the warm-up fixture. The result was less significant than the process — every member of the squad, including bowlers, got meaningful game time. The only exceptions were Nabi, who bowled just five overs, and Prasidh Krishna, who did not bat.

Sarfaraz Khan joins squad in Colombo

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan — named as Sudharsan's replacement — has joined the Indian squad and took part in a practice session at the NCC Ground in Colombo on Monday. All batters were present at the session, though Nabi was the only specialist seamer to attend.

With the first Test now days away, India appear to have resolved at least one selection question, with Padikkal's warm-up showing making a strong case for his inclusion at number three.