In a statement knock in the absence of regular number three Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal made giant strides towards sealing himself as a long-term number three with Team India, scoring a brisk 167 in 230 balls, with 15 fours and a six. Following a sensational maiden Test hundred, India batter Devdutt Padikkal expressed his happiness at reaching three figures and spoke on his aggressive approach against spin, saying that one needs to have a certain plan in their head while batting against tweakers.
Devdutt Padikkal made giant strides towards sealing himself as a long-term number three with Team India, scoring a brisk 167 in 230 balls, with 15 fours and a six.
“I think I was just looking to make sure that I commit to whatever I do 100 per cent. I just enjoy batting out there, and the moment you get to 100, it is easy to relax and feel that relief,” he said. Even if it is a defensive shot, I want to make sure that I really commit to playing that, so that made my footwork much better. (On the ability to convert the hundreds into big ones) I think honestly, it’s just the hunger to score more runs.
Following the match, Padikkal said to the broadcasters, “I have dreamt of this moment. Padikkal said that he has clarity in what he has to do, and it brings confidence in his footwork. Padikkal said that it will probably be a couple of sessions after which the pitch will start breaking up.
For the last two years, I have been working really hard to try and make sure that when I get that opportunity, I can do something special like this, and I am really happy to do that. (On his aggressive intent vs spin early on and decisive footwork) Yeah, I think we have discussed that at length, especially when you’re playing spin, it’s important that you have certain plans in your head. You cannot go out there and expect to react all the time. He also spoke on seeing so many cricketers, especially from his state of Karnataka, make big runs he wanted to do the same.
