Devdutt Padikkal, a Karnataka batsman, made his Test debut for India in the final game of a five-match series against England at Dharamsala, which began March 7.
The 23-year-old earned his first call to the national squad filling in for the hurt KL Rahul before the third Test. Recently, Devdutt Padikkal hit a stunning 151 for Karnataka against Tamil Nadu in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy.
The southpaw has been in fantastic form recently, scoring four century in the previous six first-class games, including 105 and 65 for India A against the England Lions.
Devdutt Padikkal averaged 92.66 in the present Ranji season, including three hundreds, prior to his Test call-up. Despite usually batting at No.3 for his state, the kid will replace Rajat Patidar at No.4 in his first Test.
Following his problems in 2022 and 2023 due to an intestinal illness, Padikkal’s return to the red-ball format has been remarkable. He played two Twenty20 Internationals for India against Sri Lanka in 2021.
While most Twitter users reacted positively to Devdutt Padikkal’s Test debut, some questioned the need for the change for just one game.
Here’s some of the better reactions:
India announce two changes in squad for final Test against England
Apart from Devdutt Padikkal, Team India made another change for the Dharamsala Test, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to the XI to replace Akash Deep.
While Devdutt Padikkal was expected to replace Rajat Patidar, considering the latter’s troubles in the previous three Tests (average of 10.50), Akash Deep may feel himself unlucky. The Bengal bowler made an impressive start, scooping up three early wickets in the first innings.
However, skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the alterations during the toss.
“We would have batted first as well. We have done really well so far this series and an opportunity to finish on a high. There should be good bounce on this pitch than the games before in this series. Good pitch to bat on and I don’t think it will deteriorate that much. Bumrah is back, Akash Deep misses out. Devdutt Padikkal makes his debut as Patidar got injured last evening.”
Rohit Sharma
After losing very badly in the first match, India came back to win the next three matches. Now India is sure to win the series because they lead 3-1.
The last Test will be India’s last game before the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts. The IPL will begin on March 22.