Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has reckoned that Devdutt Padikkal is a no-brainer to make it to India’s No.3 spot for the forthcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand later this year.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta asserted that Padikkal should start as India’s No.3 batter ahead of Sai Sudharsan despite the latter being fully fit for the New Zealand tour.
Sudharsan was ruled out of the Sri Lankan tour due to an injury, and Padikkal amassed 328 runs from three innings on the two-Test Lankan tour at an average of 109.33 to emerge as India’s leading run-scorer.
“Devdutt Padikkal appeared very different from what he was a year, year and a half before. He has worked really hard on his game. His footwork has improved. His basic structure has changed a lot, and that is a huge positive. I think it’s a no-brainer that in the next Test in New Zealand, your first choice has to be Devdutt. Sai would have to wait. He’s got his chances. At this point in time, Devdutt has to be your number three,” Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Dasgupta hailed the young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, terming him a huge positive from the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. Notably, Suthar scalped 16 wickets from four innings, emerging as the leading wicket-taker on the tour.
“He is very orthodox and has good action. He is a big positive. Good that he can bat, but he can improve a bit. Because he has the ability to bat and has an idea to bowl with the Kookaburra as well. Let’s say he improves his batting a bit more, it opens up the option for you to play two spinners. Maybe he cannot become a batting all-rounder, but can always be a bowler who can contribute with the bat. It is a massive positive,” he concluded.
