Former India player Wasim Jaffer said that Devdutt Padikkal should continue at No. 3 even after Sai Sudharsan returns from injury. His comments came after the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, which India won by 165 runs.
With Sudharsan ruled out due to a right toe injury, Padikkal batted at No. 3 and scored 167 off 230 balls in the first innings and 44 off 75 in the second as well.
Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Wasim Jaffer Official), he said: “I think Devdutt should be given the opportunity because his first-class numbers are very good. He has scored big hundreds and double hundreds while playing for Karnataka. As I said, he is a left-hander and plays in a slightly aggressive manner. And that is the need of the hour, in my opinion, considering the way cricket is being played these days. You need somebody who can come out there, take the pressure off, and put the bowlers under pressure. Devdutt is that player. I think Sai Sudharsan has time on his side. Perhaps Sudharsan is a slightly more conventional player. Even though he plays in the IPL and has won an Orange Cap as well, I feel Devdutt has a little bit of an edge.”
READ HERE: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On ODI Futures Of Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli
However, Wasim Jaffer also added that Devdutt Padikkal is a perfect No. 3 who can provide a strong base for the team as well. He shared that Padikkal’s attacking approach can make things easier for the batters as well.
“His batting style is very attacking, and that is nice because when your No. 3 comes in and puts the bowlers under pressure, it makes life easier for the other batsmen who follow. So, I feel Devdutt Padikkal is a perfect No. 3 who can take the pressure off and set a good base for the team. I think this is a very good position for him, and I hope he gets opportunities at this number because once he gets set, he can go on to score a big hundred. He has that ability to score big hundreds, and that is something you need at the top of the order,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.
