Devdutt Padikkal, a Team India batsman, remarked that being out of cricket for a lengthy period of time let him realize how much he enjoyed the game. He stated that he has made a concerted effort to appreciate the game more since his return.
With Rajat Patidar pulled out of the fifth Test against England owing to an ankle ailment, Padikkal made his Test debut. He had a huge influence on his debut Test innings, striking a fluent half-century.
The 23-year-old harbored an acute intestinal ailment at the start of year 2022. It also muddled his stroke playing. Despite the hardships he had to endure, Devdutt Padikkal has made a huge breakthrough for Karnataka in the current Ranji trophy, and so, was selected to represent his country for the first time. Addressing the media at day play’s end in Dharamsala, and looking back prior to his health scare, the left-hander spoke about how things have changed since his comeback.
“Technically I made a couple of small changes but mentally yes, I made the changes. I wanted to ensure that I enjoy the game a lot more because the last couple of years I couldn’t play that often and missing on games made me realize how much I missed the sport.”
Devdutt Padikkal
The southpaw, who scored 65 off 103 in India’s first innings, including ten fours and a six, also emphasized the significance of discipline in achieving success.
“I have always believed that discipline is key to success in anything that you do. Whether your practice or day-to-day habits or food. I have tried to be disciplined and that was my main goal.”
“During sickness, I couldn’t do much but I still wanted to make sure I am not lagging behind in other areas and I continued to work on myself whether mentally or any other small thing.”
Devdutt Padikkal
The southpaw, who hit 65 off 103 in India’s first innings, including ten fours and a six, emphasized the need of discipline in achieving success.
“First boundary, off the edge, was most enjoyable” – Devdutt Padikkal
At the press conference following the second day of play, the newcomer was asked which of his ten fours he liked most. He came up with an intriguing remark.
“Every boundary is enjoyable but the first boundary, off the edge, was most enjoyable because those were my first runs in Test cricket (laughs).”
Devdutt Padikkal
While India has a commanding lead in the fifth Test, Padikkal remarked that the hosts are not thinking too far ahead about the outcome of the contest.
“We haven’t discussed and aren’t looking so far ahead. We still have two wickets in hand, there is a good partnership going on. So hopefully we can continue to bat and keep getting those runs and lead bigger.”
Devdutt Padikkal
After Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored hundreds, India finished Day 2 with 473/8, with a massive 255-run advantage.