New Delhi
BCCI has included young batsman Devdutt Padikkal in the Indian team a day before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is believed that captain Rohit Sharma and number three batsman Shubhman Gill may miss the first test match. While Rohit has become a father for the second time, Gill is injured. In the absence of these two, BCCI has included Devdutt Padikkal in the team to strengthen the batting unit. Devdutt Padikkal had come on Australia tour with India-A. Padikkal had proved his ability by playing a strong innings against Australia A. In its two unofficial test matches, Padikkal played a brilliant inning of 86 runs for India A in difficult conditions. After this he was asked to stay in Australia only. After the injury of Shubhman Gill, Devdutt’s place in the playing eleven also seems to be getting made.
BCCI shared the video
BCCI said in its statement, Devdutt Padikkal has joined Team India’s Test squad. The left-handed batsman shared his experience and excitement of training with the team ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Along with this, BCCI has also shared a video, in which Devdutt Padikkal has narrated his experiences of the Australia tour so far.
There is a stir in Duleep Trophy
It is noteworthy that the 24-year-old Karnataka batsman had made his Test cricket debut against England earlier this year, where he scored 65 runs in an innings. Padikkal also scored three fifties in three Duleep Trophy matches for India D and earned a place in the India A team for the tour of Australia. However, the management is expected to give a debut to uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran in the first match. KL Rahul is the frontrunner for the number three role, but Padikkal’s inclusion has added much-needed competition for a place in India’s playing XI for the Perth Test.
