Former Indian off-spinner and commentator Ravi Ashwin has heaped praise on India’s No.3 batter Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 211 runs across both innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin pointed out that Padikkal has a lot of time to play against pacers, which he noted while they were part of a practice game at the WACA Down Under on the BGT 2024-25 tour.
Furthermore, the former legendary spinner also reckoned that if Padikkal continues his good form at No.3, he will take that spot on the forthcoming New Zealand tour, adding that both Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan can find their spots in the XI.
“When we played the practice games at the WACA (before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), Padikkal looked really, really comfortable. I feel like he is a batter who has a lot of time to play against pacers. Now, if he scores runs in the second Test, I think he will have to be the No.3 in New Zealand. It’s very difficult to keep him out. As of now, both of them can find a place in the playing XI, but I think if Sudharsan comes back, they will have to give the chance to Padikkal because of the way he has batted,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Ashwin also lauded Padikkal as a good slip fielder, adding that he has the temperament of former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. He also showered praise on the Karnataka batter for giving importance to first-class cricket.
“The way Devdutt batted, especially on the back foot, and the way he used his feet and shuffled from back to front, was really good. He showed why there is value in spending time in the first-class system. He shaped up his skills there, and he exhibited those here in the Test. He is also a good slip fielder; I hope he gets to field at slip even for spinners. He can be a long-term solution in the slip cordon for spinners. He also has the temperament of Ajinkya Rahane. So, I really hope Devdutt goes from strength to strength because he is a damn good player,” R Ashwin said.
“The way he has given importance to first-class cricket and performed there, I think it is a great thing that has happened to the Indian first-class system. Devdutt Padikkal performed and got into the Test team. It is always hard to keep a good man out. He got the opportunity because of Sai Sudharsan’s injury. If Sai Sudharsan was fit, he would have batted at No.3, because he had scored runs in the last match as well,” Ashwin concluded.
