Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has opened up on India’s No.3 batter Devdutt Padikkal cementing his spot in the playing XI as he went on to score a total of 211 runs across both innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
While Padikkal scored 167 runs in the first innings, he went on to score 44 in the second to strengthen India’s winning chances. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Indian batter stated that Padikkal is becoming undroppable even if Sai Sudharsan comes back to the squad.
“Devdutt Padikkal’s 211 runs in a Test match. How can you not talk about it? He has scored runs in the first innings and the second innings. In the second innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal got out, KL Rahul got out after some time, and then Shubman Gill got out, but this boy played very well,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“He is becoming undroppable now. This is what happens. If there is an injury and someone gets an opportunity, and if he grabs it, he holds sway. Whoever was there was there. It is going to be a difficult one, but well done, Devdutt Padikkal. Another important innings in the context of the game,” he added.
Furthermore, Chopra has emphasised that Padikkal looked in good touch despite the surface deteriorating a little on Day 4 of the five-day affair. Notably, Padikkal has replaced Sai Sudharsan in the playing XI as the Tamil Nadu batter is nursing an injury at the BCCI CoE.
“He remained in control from start to finish. The pitch deteriorated a little, but he had the confidence. He has great confidence in his defence. His shots have been praised a lot, but his defensive game is making him capable of scoring runs,” he said.
“He is consistently keeping his bat ahead of the pad. He plays with soft hands. He keeps his hands slightly high, so that the ball doesn’t hit the bat’s sticker or the gloves. These are a few ingredients of a player who can play spin well,” Chopra noted.
“Since he is tall, he can use his feet. He goes forward with a long stride and then quickly goes back to use the depth of the crease. So Padikkal has done beautifully well,” he concluded.
