Devdutt Padikkal to join the Indian squad as backup batter for BGT

Team India has faced a setback even before the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy down under. Shubman Gill, the team’s trusted prospect at number three in the batting lineup fractured his thumb during the match simulation at WACA. Effectively, the top-order batter has been ruled out of the Perth Test which starts on November 22. A significant update has followed the update about Gill’s unavailability. Devdutt Padikkal, a part of the India A squad that played two unofficial Tests against Australia A, have been directed to stay back with the Indian squad for the BGT. The rest of the India A squad will reportedly leave for India within the next 24 hours.

Devdutt Padikkal asked to stay back in Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Devdutt Padikkal emerged as one of the top-performers with the bat in the first unofficial Test against Australia A. While the other batters like Abhimanyu Easwaran and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled, Padikkal notched 88 runs, partnering with Sai Sudarshan who hit a century at the Mackay turf. Padikkal, specifically, managed the scores of 36, 88, 26, and 1, across the two matches played by India A. While the knocks are not noted as an extraordinary feat, Padikkal has joined the India squad as a backup batter for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

The decision seems to have stemmed from the tricky simulation observed ahead of the Perth Test. KL Rahul endured an injury on his right elbow while batting at WACA. Moreover, the unavailability of Shubman Gill was confirmed due to the injury to his thumb. Furthermore, skipper Rohit Sharma, who recently welcomed his second child, a baby boy, has not confirmed if he would be available for the Perth Test. While an update suggests that Rahul’s injury is not serious as he was able to bat during a three-day match simulation at WACA on November 17.

Reportedly, the management is of the stance that Padikkal's experience and understanding of Australian conditions make him a strong backup option. Padikkal, who played his only Test earlier this year against England, has also appeared in T20Is. In another development, the BCCI has no immediate plans to send pacer Mohammed Shami to Australia. After returning to competitive cricket with a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, Shami is expected to play a few more domestic games before being considered for a national recall. He is likely to feature for Bengal in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, which begins in about a week.