Former Bengal wicket-keeper bat Shreevats Goswami has backed Devdutt Padikkal to solve a lot of problems for India ahead of the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Padikkal had delivered the goods while batting at one drop in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. 

Padikkal scored a total of 328 runs in three innings of the series against Sri Lanka at an average of 109.33 and was awarded Player of the Series. The left-hander scored two centuries in as many Test matches and batted at the top of his game.

Padikkal was able to grab his chance with both hands in the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan, who was ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. The Karnataka batter is now expected to be India’s number three, and he is likely to get a long run at one drop.

Shreevats Goswami said on Beyond23 Cricket podcast, “India’s domestic circuit is so strong that the players keep coming. India was looking for a solid No.3 in Tests, and Devdutt Padikkal seems to be the answer to that. He is going to solve a lot of problems for India.”

“The New Zealand series will be the biggest challenge for Gautam Gambhir as coach. It will also be the biggest challenge for all the Indian batters, who struggled even at home against spin. Now, they’ll be up against seamers in seaming conditions with three slips and a gully and 80 overs of fast bowling.”

The former SRH batter believes India’s Test batting has dipped after Virat Kohli’s retirement and too much T20 cricket played all over the year.

“Virat Kohli should have played Test cricket for another four to five years. The kind of cricket, attitude, and fitness he has, he retired way too early. He had so much left and is like an ambassador for Test cricket. Overall, India’s batting has dipped as there is so much focus on T20s. So things like defense, the art of leaving the ball, and patience have gone down a notch.”

India will play two Test matches against New Zealand in November.