NEWS
Follow UsOne month ago, Devdutt Padikkal was not among India A players in the limelight heading into the unofficial Test series against Australia A, with there being more focus on the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel.
But the left-hander grabbed the opportunity he was provided with both hands, finishing as the highest run-getter for the tourists, posting 151 runs at an average of 37.75. Jurel aside, Padikkal was India A’s standout player in the series and, thanks to the same, he got asked by the management to stay back as a traveling reserve.
Now with Shubman Gill injured, Padikkal is all set to play in the first Test in Perth, expected to slot in at No.3.
Ahead of the biggest day of his career, the 24-year-old spoke about the ‘surreal’ feeling of being in the Indian Test side for a series in Australia.
"Feels pretty surreal, to be honest,” Padikkal said in a video posted by the BCCI.
"Coming here for the 'A' tour, somewhere in the back of my mind I was hoping that I could do well and be asked to stay back. I'm glad that I'm getting this opportunity; hopefully I can make it count."
Padikkal is no stranger to the Test arena, having already played one Test and having posted 65 runs in the only innings he batted. He’s also been around the Indian senior side for a while now and has plenty of experience despite only being 24.
He opened up on his time training with the senior side and insisted that practice sessions with the national side tend to feel as big as a match.
"The intensity in the practice sessions are pretty high. You feel that challenge, you feel everyone is ready, raring to go for the big series ahead,” Padikkal said.
"It's always been a pleasure having training sessions with the senior side because it feels as big as a match. Hopefully we can translate it into the game as well."
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