SL vs IND 2026: Devdutt Padikkal shares unique after-effect of fielding in hot Colombo sun

A photograph posted by Devdutt Padikkal after the conclusion of India's Test series in Sri Lanka drew immediate attention for a reason that had nothing to do with runs or wickets. The final slide of his post revealed his bare back, where the sun had tanned a lighter imprint of his jersey name and number through the cut-out lettering on his shirt during the Colombo Test.

Padikkal shared the post with a caption that read, 'Really grateful for the opportunity and hungry for more. Lots of learnings from a hard fought series. Onto the next challenge… P.S- The sun gave me a tattoo on the last slide'. His jersey name reads 'Dev' and his shirt number is 37, and both were effectively printed onto his skin over several days of fielding at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

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Padikkal's batting numbers in the Colombo Test and the series

The extended sun exposure had a straightforward explanation. Padikkal batted on Day 1 of the second Test and was dismissed roughly eight overs before the close of play. India then declared their first innings at 503/9 during the afternoon session of Day 2, which meant Padikkal was on the field as a fielder from that point through to the end of Day 5, amounting to close to four full days under the Colombo sun.

The match itself, played from August 23 to 27, 2026, ended in a draw. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in their first innings, prompting India to enforce the follow-on. The hosts then batted again to post 429/9d, securing the draw. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis contributed an 87-run fourth-wicket stand on Day 4, while Sonal Dinusha struck his third century of the series on Day 5 to steer Sri Lanka to safety.

Padikkal's batting in the second Test had been equally eye-catching. He made 117 off 193 balls, striking 12 fours, which was his second hundred of the series. He had earlier scored 167 and 44 in the Galle Test. Across three innings in the two-match series, Padikkal accumulated 328 runs at an average of 109.33, performances that earned him the Player of the Series award.