3 Indian batsmen with most Test runs at No. 3 in Sri Lanka
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India played their maiden Test series on Sri Lankan soil in 1985.
Batting on Sri Lankan soil is one of the most difficult tasks in Test cricket. Facing the new ball is never easy, especially for a top-order batsman, and once the ball softens, spinners come to dominate. That is what a top-order batter gets in Sri Lanka.
Navigating variable bounce, seam movement, and sharp spin or turn are some of the ultimate challenges for a batter on Sri Lankan soil. That is where you need someone reliable to bat at No. 3 in the lineup.
India have been lucky to have players like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, who are made to play Test cricket in tough conditions. This article is also about such a stat. Here, we will discuss about the Indian batsmen who have scored the most Test runs at No. 3 in Sri Lanka.
Indian batters with most Test runs at No. 3 on Sri Lankan soil
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3. Cheteshwar Pujara – 309 runs
India’s former No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara was one of the finest Test batsmen. Known for his temperament and pressure-handling skills, he achieved immense success for India and retired with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests at an average of 43.6.
Three of his 19 Test centuries came in Sri Lanka. Two of them came during the 2017 series when he batted at No. 3. Pujara scored 309 runs in 3 games at an average of 77.25 on that tour, with a high score of 153, and helped India win the series 3-0.
2. Devdutt Padikkal – 328* runs
Devdutt Padikkal made history by scoring his maiden century in India’s 600th Test match. The left-hander was added to the Indian XI in place of injured Sai Sudharsan.
Padikkal grabbed the opportunity with both hands in the 2026 series. He struck centuries in both matches and recorded the scores of 167, 44, and 117 in his first three innings in Sri Lanka at No. 3. That has helped him surpass Pujara on this list.
1. Rahul Dravid – 433 runs
Who other than Rahul Dravid can top this list? India’s most dependable No. 3, Dravid, was famously known as “The Wall” for his ability to play ball after ball without a sweat. His ability to play on spinning wickets earned him success in Sri Lanka.
He batted at No. 3 in a few Test series in Sri Lanka and scored 433 runs at this position. Dravid retired with 13,288 runs in his Test career. Overall, he scored 1,508 runs against Sri Lanka in 20 Test matches at an average of 48.64, including 3 centuries and 9 half-centuries.
Who has scored the most Test runs for India at No. 3 in Sri Lanka?
Rahul Dravid holds the record. He scored 433 runs at No. 3 in Sri Lanka.
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Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.