India’s young sensation, Devdutt Padikkal, marked his Test debut with a stellar performance, scoring a maiden half-century against England in the ongoing Test match at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Padikkal, stepping in for the injured Rajat Patidar, joined forces with Sarfaraz Khan, building a crucial 97-run partnership that solidified India’s dominance in the fifth and final Test.
Entering the fray after the dismissal of centurion Shubman Gill, Padikkal showcased his composure and attacking flair. His fifty came in the 86th over, punctuated by a six off Shoaib Bashir. The 23-year-old displayed an impressive array of shots, including 10 boundaries and a six during his innings.
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Former England opener Nick Knight acknowledged the resilience of the young Indian duo, Padikkal and Sarfaraz, as they absorbed the pressure following the quick dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. At the end of Day 2’s second session, India held a commanding 158-run lead over England.
Maiden Test ✅
Maiden Test fifty ✅
Welcome to Test cricket, Devdutt Padikkal 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/jnMticF6fc #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/pkDgbvtVIF
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2024
Nick Knight commented, “Padikkal and Sarfaraz put a halt to England’s momentum after two quick wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The ball was nipping around a bit, it wasn’t easy. The two young players were super impressive in the first 10-20 minutes of their innings.”
Devdutt Padikkal shines with a 50 on debut 💪 🔥#IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #BazBowled #INDvENG #JioCinemaSport pic.twitter.com/hjyy6bTukf
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 8, 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin, playing his 100th Test, presented Padikkal with his Test cap. The debutant’s inclusion came as a replacement for Rajat Patidar, who sustained an injury during training. Despite the challenges, Padikkal seized the opportunity, making a significant impact in the crucial Test match.
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Padikkal’s recent performances in the Ranji Trophy contributed to his Test call-up. The left-handed batsman from Karnataka amassed 556 runs in four matches at an outstanding average of 92.66, featuring three centuries. His seamless transition from domestic to international cricket underscores his potential and the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
With a series lead of 3-1, India aims to conclude the Test series against England on a high note. Following a narrow defeat in Hyderabad, the hosts rebounded with consecutive victories in Vizag, Rajkot, and Ranchi, showcasing their resilience and determination.
