Devdutt Padikkal is on the brink of making his return to Test cricket after a lengthy absence of 20 months, following a stellar performance in a warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Batting at No. 3 in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal scored an impressive 103 runs off 121 balls before opting to retire out. This performance comes as he prepares for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the first match set to commence on August 15 in Galle.
Sai Sudharsan, who had been a key player for India A during their recent tour of Sri Lanka, sustained a toe injury that has now ruled him out of the upcoming Test series. Reports from Indian media confirm that Sudharsan was unable to recover in time, thus opening the door for Padikkal to step in and potentially fill the No. 3 batting position in the Indian lineup.
Padikkal's selection for the Test squad was not a surprise, as he has been in remarkable form in domestic cricket. His inclusion was largely due to a standout domestic season where he showcased his batting prowess, particularly in the Ranji Trophy where he amassed 556 runs at an average of 92.66, including three centuries. He also made a significant contribution during the India A tour, scoring 94 runs in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka.
Having made his Test debut during England's tour of India in 2024, Padikkal's journey in international cricket has seen him limited to just two Test appearances so far. His debut came as an injury replacement for KL Rahul, and he made a commendable start with a score of 65 in his first innings. However, his second outing was less fruitful, where he faced challenges against a strong Australian bowling attack, resulting in a duck and a modest score of 25 in the Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Padikkal has continued to impress in the domestic circuit. In the last Ranji Trophy season, he scored 543 runs at an average of 60.33, including two centuries and a half-century. His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was particularly noteworthy, where he scored 725 runs in nine matches at an astonishing average of 90.62, including four centuries. Additionally, his recent IPL season has been his best yet, where he scored 464 runs in 16 matches, contributing significantly to his team's success as they clinched a second consecutive title.
As Padikkal prepares for his return to Test cricket, fans and selectors alike will be keen to see if he can translate his domestic success onto the international stage. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial as India looks to secure a strong start in the Test series against Sri Lanka.
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