Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane believes Devdutt Padikkal has temporarily sealed the number three spot after the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. In the first innings of the second Test match, Padikkal scored a majestic knock of 117 runs as he once again batted at the top of his game. The southpaw also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped on 0 and 1 by Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva.
However, the left-hander was able to make the most of his second chances and delivered for the team. Overall, Padikkal scored a total of 328 runs in three innings of the series at an average of 109.33 and was awarded Player of the Series.
“I think he has temporarily sealed the No.3 spot. This is his own hard work, and I am happy with his performance. When they go to New Zealand, the conditions will be different, and preparation will have to be different. But for now, we can celebrate these two centuries,” Rahane said in a video on his Hindi YouTube channel.
Rahane, who recently announced his retirement, highlighted that Padikkal scored his runs by dominating the opposition’s bowlers.
“The way Padikkal batted in both games, one thing was visible that how you look to dominate bowlers while playing at number three, and he did that. Scoring back-to-back hundreds is not easy. It is always important to be decisive as a batter, and he showed that. The intent was there. He had all the shots. He got the opportunity, and he presented his case by batting with authority and the way he scored runs. He read the situation well.”
Barring Padikkal’s consistent performances, Rahane noted that Dhruv Jurel’s batting was also a positive for India. Jurel scored 173 runs in three innings against the hosts.
“I think the biggest positive was two to three players. Padikkal was consistent. I felt Dhruv Jurel’s batting was another positive. He may have been under some pressure before the series, but made a crucial fifty and a hundred as well. His batting form was very important at that number. We have very few batters like him who bat according to the situation. He is someone who thinks for the team and reads the situation well,” he said.
India registered a 1-0 series win against Sri Lanka after the second Test ended in a draw.
