India will play two Tests on their all-format tour of New Zealand.
The Indian team’s next Test assignment after the ongoing Sri Lanka series will be a two-Test series in New Zealand later this year. Apart from tests, India will also play ODIs and T20Is as well, but the focus will be on test matches as India battles to stay alive in contention for the WTC 2027 final.
Talking about the same, former India cricketer R. Ashwin discussed who should be preferred as India’s no. 3 batter for the New Zealand Tests: Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan. Ashwin stated that both of them could be part of the Indian XI, but Padikkal should be the preferred choice for no. 3 given his rich form.
The Karnataka batter made a huge statement with his brilliant 167 and 44 in India’s 165-run win in the first Test in Sri Lanka in Galle. Padikkal had replaced Sudharsan in the India squad as the Tamil Nadu southpaw had been ruled out of the series due to a toe injury.
Because Sai Sudharsan was in contention prior to his injury, he cannot be completely ruled out of contention for the No. 3 place. He hit two fifties in his final three innings during yet another incredible Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In addition, he scored several hundreds for India 'A' versus Sri Lanka 'A' in two first-class games last month.
Devdutt Padikkal's ability to handle pace bowling in foreign conditions was vehemently backed by R Ashwin, who believes that if the runs continue to flow, the team management may be forced to support him at No. 3.
"When we played the practice games at the WACA (before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), Padikkal looked really, really comfortable. I feel like he is a batter who has a lot of time to play against pacers. Now, if he scores runs in the second Test, I think he will have to be No. 3 in New Zealand. It's very difficult to keep him out. As of now, both of them can find a place in the playing XI, but I think if Sudharsan comes back, they will have to give the chance to Padikkal because of the way he has batted," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Devdutt Padikkal featured at No. 3 for Team India during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin further highlighted the abilities Padikkal brings to the Indian team as the fielder.
"The way Devdutt batted, especially on the back foot, and the way he used his feet and shuffled from back to front, was really good. He showed why there is value in spending time in the first-class system. He shaped up his skills there, and he exhibited those here in the Test. He is also a good slip fielder; I hope he gets to field at slip even for spinners. He can be a long-term solution in the slip cordon for spinners. He also has the temperament of Ajinkya Rahane. So, I really hope Devdutt goes from strength to strength because he is a damn good player," R Ashwin said.
Devdutt Padikkal, according to Ashwin, is the best illustration of how India's first-class system should function and how players should anticipate receiving recognition for their constant efforts.
"The way he has given importance to first-class cricket and performed there, I think it is a great thing that has happened to the Indian first-class system. Devdutt Padikkal performed and got into the Test team. It is always hard to keep a good man out. He got the opportunity because of Sai Sudharsan's injury. If Sai Sudharsan were fit, he would have batted at No. 3, because he had scored runs in the last match as well," R. Ashwin elaborated.
Padikkal will be seen in action for India when the second Test against Sri Lanka begins on August 23 in Colombo.