Devdutt Padikkal 151 Impresses BCCI Chief Selector, Earns Spot in India Squad for 3rd Test vs England

A well-known domestic coach used to ask all of his players, “Jangal mein mor nacha kisne dekha?” before every big game. The aphorism is well-known in Hindi. Who gives a damn about what you did in the wilderness? is how I would phrase that. What he meant to say in the context of cricket was that it doesn’t really matter how the players perform in league matches or against smaller opponents. In large games, they have to perform since everyone is watching them—at least the important ones). It is exactly what Devdutt Padikkal has done. In front of chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, the left-hander for Karnataka struck 151 off 218 balls in an Elite Group C Ranji Trophy encounter against Tamil Nadu in Chennai. Observing Padikkal’s feats against an attack featuring Sandeep Warrier, Sai Kishore, and Vijay Shankar, the former Indian bowler was observing from the stands.

Little did Padikkal know that a few days later, he would be called up by the Indian side, when he struck 12 fours and 6 sixes in his pivotal innings on February 9, enabling Karnataka to post 366 and finally give them enough runs to get 3 points on first innings lead. KL The third Test between India and England, which is scheduled to start in Rajkot on Thursday, has Rahul listed as not fully fit. It would take the right-hander a few more days to fully recover from his quadriceps ailment, which kept him out of the second Test in Visakhapatnam. He should be available in Ranchi and Dharamsala for the fourth and fifth Tests. Nonetheless, India required a backup for the third Test. Padikkal entered.

Devdutt Padikkal’s stellar stats in this season

Padikkal’s performance in the Ranji Trophy this season has been outstanding. The lanky left-hander has collected 556 runs at an astounding average of 92.66, with three hundreds in four games. He also scored 105, 65, and 21 for India A against the England Lions visiting team in between. While all of this played a significant role in his ascent, it is imperative to consider that the 151 in front of Agarkar served as a catalyst for the 23-year-old. There was no show in the forest for him. In front of the top selector, he batted at his fluent best, and it worked wonders.

Padikkal has begun to peak at the ideal time. He participated in two Twenty20 Internationals during the 2021 tour to Sri Lanka, where the pitches were largely in favor of the spinners. Although Padikkal has always been regarded as a superior white-ball batsman (with a List A average of 81.52 in 30 games and an IPL reputation gained while opening the batting for the Royal Challengers Bangalore), he has gradually begun to establish himself in red-ball cricket. His first-class average of 44 undoubtedly still doesn’t fully reflect his ability, but if this season’s play is any indication, it will most likely increase.

Padikkal has not yet connected with the Rajkot-based Indian team. He is scheduled to fly from Chennai to Rajkot on Tuesday after his Ranji Trophy match concluded on Monday. It is not known if he would show up for India’s afternoon practice at the SCA stadium right away. A Test cap is likewise unlikely, but not completely out of the picture. The team management is probably going to go with Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar in the middle order in lieu of KL Rahul (injured), Shreyas Iyer (dropped), and Virat Kohli (out of the series due to personal reasons). Patidar, who made his debut in Visakhapatnam, is expected to be given another chance, most likely at No. 4. However, Sarfaraz is now prepared to see the light of day after years of knocking on doors and a cargo of runs. It is impossible to fully discount the effect of the practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, though. As with Agarkar, Padikkal might ruin Sarafarz’s celebration if he shows up to both sessions and makes an impression on head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma. However, given the current state of affairs, it seems unlikely that will happen.

Also Read: KL Rahul Ruled Out, Ravindra Jadeja’s Fitness Status for India vs England 3rd Test Revealed: Latest Updates

Final Thought

The tale of Devdutt Padikkal’s ascent through the domestic cricket ranks, which led to his selection for the Indian Test team, embodies the ageless lesson of seizing chances as they arise. He performed an amazing innings of 151 runs in a crucial Ranji Trophy encounter, under the watchful supervision of Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, highlighting the need of performing well under pressure. Padikkal has demonstrated throughout the season that he is ready and able to adjust to various game styles, as evidenced by his excellent average and several hundreds. His transition from a white-ball expert to a capable red-ball player demonstrates his development and will to succeed at the greatest cricketing levels. His performance came right before he was picked for the England Test series, which was evidence of his dedication to the task and his capacity to perform well under pressure.

Padikkal may not receive a Test cap right away, but the fact that he is a backup in the team shows the selectors have faith in his skills and potential. There is intense competition among players, including Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar, for spots in the Indian playing XI. However, Padikkal’s recent actions have elevated him to the fore and strengthened the case for his continued participation. The narrative of Devdutt Padikkal serves as a powerful reminder of the worth of putting in your best work when it matters most, the strength of persistence, and the significance of grasping opportunities. Many young cricketers find encouragement in his journey from the domestic circuits to the edge of international cricket as he joins the Indian Test squad. Whether or whether Padikkal is able to don the Test cap in the near future, he has already left an enduring impression and demonstrated that success can be achieved via performance in pivotal situations.