Devdutt Padikkal Backed for India No. 3 Test Role Against Afghanistan
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A New Chapter for India’s Test Lineup
The upcoming one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan, scheduled for June, has reignited intense debates regarding the team’s middle-order composition. While the fixture falls outside the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it serves as a critical testing ground for the Indian selectors. With the busy schedule following the conclusion of the IPL 2026, the team management is expected to experiment, potentially resting senior stalwarts in favor of rising stars.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Strategic Endorsement
At the center of this selection conversation is RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become one of the most vocal advocates for the left-hander, identifying him as the ideal candidate to stabilize the No. 3 position in the Test format. Padikkal’s resurgence during the 2026 IPL season has been nothing short of spectacular, as he accumulated 367 runs across 12 games at a formidable strike rate of 172.30.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasized that Padikkal’s evolution as a technician is what separates him from his peers. “I want Devdutt Padikkal to be India’s No. 3 in Test cricket. He has batted so well, and he deserves to be an incumbent Test player for India,” Ashwin remarked. The veteran spinner highlighted a notable shift in Padikkal’s approach to spin bowling, noting that the youngster has integrated proactive footwork, the sweep, and the reverse sweep into his repertoire, moving away from his previous reliance on playing off the back foot.
The Battle for the No. 3 Spot: Padikkal vs. Sudharsan
The discourse surrounding the No. 3 position also touches upon the current incumbent, Sai Sudharsan. Since the transition period following the departures of legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, captain Shubman Gill has been overseeing a new era. Ashwin, however, expressed skepticism regarding the decision to prioritize Sudharsan over Padikkal initially.
“Padikkal was the front runner in the race for the Test cricket team, but Sai Sudharsan surpassed him. Sudharsan is also a good player, but he batted ahead of Padikkal. How did he get that opportunity?” Ashwin asked. He suggested that Sudharsan’s selection was heavily influenced by his achievement as the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2025, which, while impressive, may have overshadowed Padikkal’s consistent performance in First-Class cricket.
The statistics reflect the current dilemma. Sai Sudharsan has struggled to find his rhythm in the Test arena, averaging 27.45 across 11 innings with 302 runs. In contrast, Padikkal’s domestic record is robust; during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 543 runs in 10 innings at an average of 60.33, including two centuries and a fifty.
Support from the Coaching Staff
Beyond Ashwin’s endorsement, reports suggest that head coach Gautam Gambhir is also a strong proponent of Padikkal. Gambhir’s tactical preference for players who can dominate conditions and take the game to the bowlers aligns well with Padikkal’s current form. While Shubman Gill remains a supporter of Sudharsan, the mounting pressure from poor conversion rates makes the case for a change increasingly compelling.
Looking Ahead
As the BCCI prepares to announce the squad for the Afghanistan clash, the inclusion of Padikkal would represent a commitment to rewarding domestic consistency and technical maturity. Whether the selectors opt for the incumbent Sudharsan or pivot to the refined prowess of Padikkal, the decision will signal the direction of India’s batting philosophy in the post-Kohli and Rohit era. For now, the cricketing world watches closely to see if the RCB batter can cement his place at the heart of the Indian batting order.
