Leg and Off: Should India pick Devdutt Padikkal in their playing 11 for 1st BGT 2024-25 Test in Perth?
Team India have been forced to resort to their alternative plans before a ball has been bowled in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series. The primary culprit behind the woes is the dreaded combination of unavailability and injury. The Men in Blue have lost two of their top three batters for the first Test, leading to a major rejig in the batting order with a slew of inexperienced names.
While KL Rahul looks like a favorite candidate to replace Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, there is still a major gap at No.3, after Shubman Gill's fractured finger during a match simulation. With a dearth of middle-order batters in the side, the management has reportedly added Devdutt Padikkal to the official squad from the India 'A' setup.
Given that the need is the most urgent now, there is a huge chance that Padikkal might slot into the playing XI right away to play his first overseas Test. On that note, let us dissect the pros and cons of Padikkal in the batting order for the first BGT 2024-25 Test in Perth.
#1 Doubts over Sarfaraz Khan's ability in Australian conditions may leave India with no choice
Unfortunately for India, batting changes are far from a straight swap, as they have to consider how a single inclusion or exclusion affects the balance and strength of the side. A top three of Easwaran-Jaiswal-Rahul looks unlikely, largely because of how Easwaran has struggled in Australia so far.
The other promising candidate is in the form of Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in the second unofficial Test against Australia 'A' at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. If the wicketkeeper-batter is slotted in the top order, somewhere he has not spent a lot of time in the past, that leaves Sarfaraz Khan in the middle order, another candidate who has not impressed Down Under yet.
This leaves Rahul-Jaiswal-Padikkal as a potential top three, and Jurel as a solid option in the lower middle order who can hang around with the tail, if needed.
#2 In a way, he is India's only choice as a bridge between the top and the middle-order
History is evidence as to how important the No.3 is in Australia. For someone who might have to come in early to bat in the majority of the scenarios, it is like having a third opener in the playing XI. The likes of Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara have shown how absorbing pressure, tiring players out, copping blows, and then capitalizing against the old ball is the sustainable approach in such conditions.
In all fairness, there are no batters in the current squad that arguably fit the billing perfectly, but Padikkal might just be the closest out of the lot. With enough experience in the top and the middle order, the left-hander has the game to counter the bounce, playing with soft hands when needed, the ability to judge and leave balls, along with temperament.
He is also quite strong playing square off the wicket, a trait that Gill was bringing to the table as a top-order batter anyway.
#3 Devdutt Padikkal's series against Australia 'A' is a huge factor for both cases
The Karnataka batter scored a sublime 88-run-knock in the first unofficial Test against Australia 'A' in Mackay, which arguably made his case for the main squad selection. While that knock in isolation was brilliant, as he played out close to 200 deliveries. But, to not view his overall exploits in Australia so far would be hasty.
In the remaining three innings, Padikkal could only muster up starts, but the silver lining here is the fact that there were no early dismissals, perhaps barring one. In three out of four innings, he has survived at least 50 deliveries at the crease. Considering that not many India 'A' batters had long stays against the Australia 'A' bowlers, that is a positive to be taken, even if it is bleak.
#4 Sai Sudharsan and Ruturaj Gaikwad might have been stronger picks
Reports emerged towards the end of the match simulation in Perth that India are considering holding back one of Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal for the Border-Gavaskar series. The debate had another added element after Ruturaj Gaikwad had impressed against the Indian bowlers, batting for over an hour, and recording four sixes.
Ruturaj Gaikwad had already batted at No.3 for India 'A' when he had to vacate the opening slot for KL Rahul. He was one of the best reserve batters in the pipeline, and good enough to lead India 'A', but the line was drawn when it came to the main squad. According to reports, he was even left out of the home T20I series against Bangladesh, so that he could focus on red-ball cricket.
On the flip side, his poor string of scores against Australia 'A' did not help his case. However, in terms of pure hierarchy, Gaikwad might have been the logical choice.
Another promising candidate, who has arguably outperformed Padikkal in recent times is Sai Sudharsan. The left-hander is perhaps right at the top of the pool as far as pure assurance and solidity are concerned, a mandatory trait for a No.3.
As a result, it was a massive surprise that Padikkal pipped the aforementioned duo to be part of the main squad, which, in all likelihood, is headed towards a No.3 role in the batting order.