Ajinkya Rahane Praises Devdutt Padikkal After Landmark Sri Lanka Test Series
Following an outstanding performance in the Test series against Sri Lanka, batter Devdutt Padikkal has earned high praise from former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, who believes the left-hander has temporarily claimed the number three batting position in the national squad.
What Happened
Devdutt Padikkal was included in India’s squad as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan during the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka. Taking up the crucial number three spot, Padikkal played a defining role in India’s 1-0 series triumph by scoring 328 runs in three innings at an average of 109.33, an effort that earned him the Player of the Series award.
His tally included two centuries, highlighted by a top score of 167. Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, speaking on his YouTube channel, praised Padikkal’s authority, mindset, and decisive approach when taking on the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Key Highlights
- Player of the Series: Padikkal compiled 328 runs across three innings, averaging 109.33 with two hundreds and a top score of 167.
- Rahane’s Assessment: The former captain remarked on his YouTube channel that Padikkal had temporarily secured the number three spot due to his intent, decisiveness, and hard work.
- Backing by Domestic Numbers: In the Ranji Trophy, Padikkal hit 543 runs in six matches at an average of 60.33, including 232 against Uttarakhand in the semifinal. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was the second-highest run-getter with 725 runs in nine innings at an average of 90.62.
- Opportunity Seized: Drafted into the team after Sai Sudharsan sustained an injury, Padikkal justified his call-up with consecutive Test centuries.
Why This Matters
Batting at number three requires both technical stability and the authority to shift momentum. Rahane highlighted that Padikkal demonstrated all the necessary strokes while reading match situations effectively. This breakthrough also shows the direct correlation between Padikkal’s prolific domestic form for Karnataka and his readiness to handle the demands of international middle-order batting.
What to Watch Next
While Rahane noted that Padikkal has temporarily secured the number three position, he also observed that the team’s upcoming tour of New Zealand will present completely different conditions. Padikkal’s ability to adapt his preparation to those overseas conditions will be the next major phase of his Test career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Devdutt Padikkal’s numbers in the Sri Lanka Test series?
Padikkal scored 328 runs in three innings at an average of 109.33, registering two centuries with a highest individual score of 167.
Why was Padikkal given an opportunity in the series?
Padikkal was added to the squad to replace the injured Sai Sudharsan.
What did Ajinkya Rahane say about Padikkal’s performance?
Rahane stated on his YouTube channel that Padikkal had temporarily sealed the number three spot, praising his intent, shot selection, and ability to dominate bowlers.
Source: CricTracker.