Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja showered praise on Devdutt Padikkal’s performances after the Test series against Sri Lanka. In the first innings of the second Test match, Padikkal scored a majestic knock of 117 runs as he once again batted at the top of his game. The southpaw also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped on 0 and 1 by Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva.

However, the left-hander was able to make the most of his second chances and delivered for the team.

“He not only showed stroke-making, but also temperament. He made big scores. He didn’t let go of the opportunity he got. As you said, he got the boarding pass late, but after that, he sat in the wrong seat. Two catches were also dropped. However, he then sat in his seat again and scored a hundred,” Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports.

“Sometimes one throws those chances. Those catches were after scoring a hundred, but he scored a century again after those catches were dropped. He himself said that it doesn’t matter to him whether he is played at No. 3 or not. He is that kind of player. He can open or play at No. 3,” he added.

Jadeja added that Padikkal is a rare player in the modern era as he is not a power player and depends on his timing to score his runs.

“I am very happy for him. When you like a player or see something in him, you get attached to him. I have been his fan for four years. When he used to play in the IPL as well, he is a rare player in today’s day who is not a power player, and in that format where I first saw him. I have become his fan since then,” he said.

Padikkal scored a total of 328 runs in three innings of the series at an average of 109.33 and was awarded Player of the Series.