Making his return to the Test side for the first time after November 2024, left-handed Padikkal struck a masterly 131 not out off 178 balls to place India in a position of strength by taking them to a commanding 288\/2 in 73 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn this knock, determination for me was playing through that tiredness and fatigue that I was feeling, especially towards the third session. I think it was getting really hot and we were losing a lot of fluids from our body and were sweating all the time. So it was really important that I was determined enough to keep going and keep pushing forward,\u201d Padikkal said in a video posted on bcci.tv on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Highlighting the need for tactical restraint on a pitch offering turn for spinners, Padikkal stressed on the discipline required to maintain concentration despite physical strain. \u201cDiscipline, again, it wasn't the easiest of wickets to bat on. I think we had to make sure that we didn't play too many rash shots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe had to make sure that we kept our mind in the game as long as possible because, like I said, again, when you get tired, it's easy to lose that discipline and I think as a team we did that well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on his journey back to being in the playing eleven in Tests, Padikkal noted that his time on the bench served as an opportunity for self-improvement. \u201cPatience for me, I think it was more to do with what I've gone through before this game. I think my last Test was in 2024, so it's been a long time coming, and I've had to patiently wait and look on from the outside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt's never easy, but at the same time it gave me time to really work on my game, to perfect things in my game that I felt needed perfecting, and I'm really glad that all that hard work came to fruition.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Admitting to having pre-milestone nerves, Padikkal expressed fondness for getting his maiden century on the occasion of India\u2019s 80th Independence Day and the side\u2019s 600th Test match. \u201cIt feels great, I was a bit nervous towards the end there when I got closer to it, but I think that's part of it and I'm really happy to get over the line, especially this ground.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt's never easy, but at the same time it gave me time to really work on my game, to perfect things in my game that I felt needed perfecting, and I'm really glad that all that hard work came to fruition.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnytime you represent your country, it's a special occasion and when you do it on Independence Day, it makes it that little bit more special. Obviously it's a very important day in our history and to have a contribution on a day like that, really feels good,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n