Former Indian cricketer WV Raman backed the in-form batter Devdutt Padikkal to bat at No.3 for India in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, beginning August 15. India’s usual No. 3 batter over the last year, Sai Sudharsan, has been ruled out of the series due to injury. And all eyes will be on Padikkal as he looks to break into the Indian Test playing XI for the first time since late 2024. He recently scored a brilliant 142* in India’s one-off practice game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI.
Raman said on IANS: “It will be very tempting to try and see other options as well. But I think Padikkal deserves to play, especially when you consider the fact that he is a top-order batter. He is rated as a very good red-ball cricketer and a left-hander at three will come in handy – that’s a no-brainer at all. He has got the temperament. He has churned out enough runs in all formats. I think just to put it in one line, he has done enough to warrant a place in the eleven.”
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WV Raman, however, dismissed all worries about opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s recent inconsistent form in Tests. After an incredible start to his Test career, he has been up and down, averaging under 39 in his last 11 outings as well. Meanwhile, Jaiswal still has an excellent overall Test average of 48.75 in 29 matches, including seven tons as well.
“Jaiswal is the kind of player who knows how to get runs when it matters. We have seen him do that in all formats. In international cricket, we have seen him adapt to different pitches in different countries. So, I won’t really worry about Yashasvi because he has got that uncanny knack of churning out runs when it matters,” said WV Raman.
“He has also got the experience and wisdom of KL Rahul along with him. When they open together, obviously, they will compare notes and complement each other. It will be a good partnership for the Indians because one can play different levels of cricket in terms of aggression and caution, and the other can provide the wisdom,” WV Raman concluded.
