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Padikkal’s second century is more than just a milestone

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By K.R. Nayar Devdutt Padikkal’s second consecutive Test century has elevated him to a special place among India’s top batters. The fact that he has become the first Indian No. 3 since Cheteshwar Pujara in 2018-19 to score centuries in consecutive away Tests will be talked about for a long time. What Padikkal has exhibited is his remarkable temperament and class. But beyond the statistics and the milestones, Padikkal’s achievement tells a more compelling story — the story of temperament, class, perseverance and the determination to belong at the highest level. Padikkal’s brilliant footwork and shot selection are laudable. To hit another century after his knocks of 167 and 44 in the first Test at Galle, which earned him the Player of the Match award, and then crack 117 runs in the first innings of the second Test reveals his tremendous appetite for runs. This can carry him to many more three-figure knocks in the future. Consistency is never achieved by just wishing for it, but by wo...
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When positivity became India’s winning weapon in Galle

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By K.R. Nayar  A positive result in favour of India in the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka is a big boost to the team’s confidence and belief. Though every player chipped in to ensure the impressive 165-run win at the Galle International Stadium, Devdutt Padikkal’s knocks of 167 and 44 in both innings and Manav Suthar’s outstanding bowling figures of 4 for 76 and 6 for 55, for a match haul of 10 for 131, stood out. Their performances have injected a powerful dose of positivity into the team, which may now help them dazzle in the second Test of the series too. India had to overcome stiff resistance from Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha (100 and 84), Niroshan Dickwella (80) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (84), and, above all, intermittent rain interruptions across multiple days. The weather repeatedly stole precious playing time and pushed India into a tense race against the clock to force a result.  Negative thoughts would have derailed all their plans. Suthar bowled...
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Pant’s 100 sixes is a spectacular signature on Test cricket

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By K.R. Nayar  It is indeed a remarkable feat for Rishabh Pant to have hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. He became the first Indian to reach that milestone on August 18, 2026, at Galle, during the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The enormity of his achievement lies in the fact that he is only the fourth batter in Test history to reach the magical three-figure mark. Pant now stands alongside the legendary Adam Gilchrist with 100 sixes, while Ben Stokes leads the list with 138, followed by Brendon McCullum with 107. But there is an even more astonishing dimension to Pant’s achievement. He has reached 100 sixes in only 51 Tests — 31 Tests fewer than Stokes took to reach the landmark. Stokes achieved it in 82 Tests. Pant has taken the express route to a record that was expected to require years of sustained six-hitting. Pant reaching this milestone is a reflection of his batting philosophy. Among Indians, Virender Sehwag, who is next on the list with 91 sixes, follow...
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Ravindra Jadeja’s 4,000-plus runs and 350 wickets deserve a big salute

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By K.R. Nayar Ravindra Jadeja deserves bigger applause for becoming only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to score over 4,000 runs and take more than 350 wickets in Test cricket. He reached this special milestone on the third day of the first Test in Galle on August 17, 2026. Amidst the intense battle for dominance and the looming threat of rain, his achievement went almost unnoticed, reducing it to a little more than a passing reference. It deserved much more. Jadeja reached the 350-wicket mark by taking the wicket of Keshara Nuwantha, caught by his skipper, Shubman Gill. He deserved a standing ovation. Jadeja has never been merely a bowler who can bat or a batter who can bowl. He is one of those rare cricketers who can change the tempo of a match through his skills in batting, bowling and fielding. He is a captain’s delight, and has delivered with the bat when needed most, destroyed batting line-ups, taken breathtaking catches and pulled off brilliant run-outs. Jadeja’s feats ...
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From Kerala to Galle: Padikkal sails into Test history

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By K.R. Nayar Devdutt Padikkal’s roots are in Kerala, the southern state of India that lies close to Sri Lanka. To score his maiden Test century at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka makes the occasion all the more special. Born in Edappal in Malappuram district, a place known as the birthplace of renowned Malayalam film actor Sukumaran and brilliant writer P. Surendran, Padikkal has now been added as a new celebrity to that list. His bat announced that Edappal has produced another name that India will remember. Padikkal’s maiden Test century will be remembered for a long time for various reasons. Indian fans will be thrilled to celebrate his century on the 80th Independence Day of his country. His century has come in India’s 600th Test match. This knock also comes after his unbeaten 142 in the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, which ensured his place in the playing eleven and the No. 3 batting slot. For every cricketer, their maiden Test century is a milestone...
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The task ahead of Indian cricket’s next chief selector will be challenging

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By K.R. Nayar  There are reports that Ajit Agarkar's tenure as India’s chief selector may end in September and his contract is unlikely to be extended. Whoever takes on this role next will face an uphill task. The coming years are crucial, with many high-profile events listed, especially the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. While captains lead on the field, it is the selectors who shape the future of the team. Ajit Agarkar  Today, with so much pressure on maintaining rankings in all formats of the game in international cricket, and the need to analyse performances from franchise cricket, the workload for a chief selector is just very heavy, unlike in the past. The modern chief selector must not be just a brilliant former cricketer alone, but a strategist, and a man with an exceptional eye for talent scouting. When he steps into that role, he automatically becomes the custodian of Indian cricket’s future. Agarkar’s role came under scrutiny after some puzzling calls dur...
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Aspiring cricketer’s suicide sends a stark warning

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By K.R. Nayar A 17-year-old aspiring female cricketer, Aditi Moreshwar Chaukhande, committed suicide in Nagpur, India, on July 30, 2026, expressing severe distress and disappointment over failing to be selected for a higher-level Vidarbha Cricket Association team. This incident must be closely examined and not written off as a one-off incident.  Aditi was undergoing intensive cricket training, wanting to pursue a professional cricket career. Her brother is also a cricketer, and she left behind a note saying: “I could not get selected, but you have been selected. Play well, and I will always be with you throughout your life.” Today, the disappointment of not getting selected cuts deeper than ever before. Cricket is no longer just a sport played for joy—it is a career, a livelihood, a dream packaged with expectations. When youngsters, along with their parents, choose this path, selection becomes everything. Many aspire to break into lucrative franchise leagues that promise inst...
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