3 even if Sai Sudharsan returns. The 26-year-old slammed his maiden Test century, finishing unbeaten on 131 at the close of play on Day 1. Roped into the playing XI after Sudharsan was ruled out of the series due to a foot injury, Padikkal anchored India’s innings on the opening day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the team management to retain southpaw Devdutt Padikkal at No. Taking to X, Manjrekar hailed Padikkal’s technique, especially against the spinners.
Roped into the playing XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series due to a foot injury, Devdutt Padikkal anchored India’s innings on the opening day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka.
3 with the kind of spin talent he has.” I really think selection is so good that when you see Padikkal walk in and play spin so comfortably-because he’s good in defense against spin, he’s good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he’s also good at playing attacking shots, and that too off the back foot on slow, turning pitches,” Manjrekar said on Sony Sports. Because he looks such a formidable player against spin,” Manjrekar said, so on pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back,.
On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it’s somebody who wants to get onto the back foot,” he said. “Devdutt Padikkal was the big change that India had. Manjrekar also praised Padikkal’s ability to play off the back foot against spin, noting that it helps batters score runs on slow tracks. “That’s something remarkable. “And the best way to play spin on a slow, turning pitch is to play the majority of the bowling off the back foot. “Along with that, he’s also got this knack of going down the pitch and hitting the ball over the sight screen. “I think it was godsent for India-Devdutt Padikkal at No.
