{
  "id": 1249870,
  "title": "'It's never easy': Devdutt Padikkal opens up on long wait for India Test comeback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/its-never-easy-devdutt-padikkal-opens-up-on-long-wait-for-india-test",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T10:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/never-easy-devdutt-padikkal-opens-102400570.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Devdutt Padikkal, the Karnataka left-hander, made a triumphant return to Test cricket with a century in India's first innings during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Padikkal's composed and aggressive knock, especially against spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha, showcased his maturity and ability to handle challenging conditions. The 26-year-old, who had been waiting almost two years for another Test opportunity, credited determination and concentration for his success on the hot and humid Galle pitch. The century was particularly significant as Padikkal had not played a Test for India since 2024 and his return to the side came after a strong run of form in domestic cricket and the IPL. Despite the long wait and pressure to reach the three-figure mark, Padikkal remained focused and managed to overcome the nervousness.",
  "summary": "Devdutt Padikkal notched his debut Test century amid a tough contest against Sri Lanka. Displaying both skill and aggression, he tackled the challenging bowling despite the physical strain of the match. His relentless focus and perseverance shone through on the demanding pitch, marking a triumphant return to Test cricket with this memorable milestone.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}