‘It would have been better if we got the win’: Devdutt Padikkal’s honest reaction after Player of the Series award

Devdutt Padikkal admitted the Player of the Series award came with mixed feelings after India settled for a draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC Ground on Thursday.

Padikkal finished the two-Test series as India's leading batter, scoring 328 runs and registering two centuries. He stepped up impressively after B Sai Sudharsan was ruled out through injury, showing composure on slow and turning pitches across the series.


India ultimately secured a 1-0 series victory after winning the opening Test, but Sri Lanka held firm in the second match. Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133 played a crucial role in helping the hosts survive the final day and force a draw.

Speaking after receiving the Player of the Series award, Padikkal admitted the individual honour would have meant more had India completed a clean sweep.


"It's great, but it would have been better if we got the win in this game. I think the two pitches were quite similar. It was pretty slow here, but at the end of the day the batters got better at playing on such surfaces and that showed over the last couple of days," Padikkal said.


Padikkal stresses importance of clear plansThe left-hander also explained the approach required from batters when playing on sluggish surfaces where scoring freely can be difficult.

According to Padikkal, success on such pitches comes down to preparation, clarity and trusting the plans developed before going out to bat.


"It takes a lot of clarity. You need to have clear plans. Everyone came with their own plans, and the way the batsmen applied themselves showed out there."


Padikkal's performances were particularly significant given his return to India's Test setup after spending time away from the side. Rather than focusing on the setbacks that came before his recall, he said the priority was to keep working and make the most of every opportunity.


"You want to play for the country, so you keep working hard and try to help your teammates out and take your opportunities when you get them. It's important that you forget that as fast as possible and move on to the next ball, and that's what I tried to do."


Padikkal puts team ahead of batting positionDespite establishing himself as a dependable option in the top order, Padikkal insisted he has no preference when it comes to his exact position in the lineup.

The 24-year-old said his priority is simply to score runs and contribute to team victories, regardless of where he is asked to bat.


"Honestly, I'm just happy to score runs. It doesn't matter what position. The team must win, and as long as I'm contributing to that, I am happy. We are a very young side. Important that we continue to learn. Everyone is really hungry and looking forward to doing that and getting better," he concluded.


Padikkal's 328 runs and two centuries made him one of the standout performers of India's Sri Lanka tour, even though the second Test draw denied the visitors a series sweep.