Devdutt Padikkal struck a century off 121 balls in India’s warm-up game against the SLC XI, strengthening his case ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests.

Padikkal’s hundred was the standout knock of the game. KL Rahul made 40 off 67 balls, but young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal managed only a two-ball duck after playing a loose shot early in his innings.

The game also featured off-field chatter. Rishabh Pant’s late-night social media post during the warm-up drew a public reply from the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, who said officials would contact the wicketkeeper soon.

India’s team management will watch the warm-up performances closely. With the Test series around the corner, every run counts for batters fighting for places. Padikkal’s calm hundred has given him a strong opening argument.

The warm-up also gave India’s fringe players a chance to impress selectors. The team management wanted batters to get time in the middle, and Padikkal used it fully. With competition for middle-order spots intense, his century could be the difference when the squad is named. The selectors are expected to finalise the Test squad shortly after the warm-up fixtures.