Devdutt Padikkal likely to debut in Test against England

As per the reports, Devdutt Padikkal is set to make his Test match debut in the upcoming Test between India and England. Padikkal is likely to replace Rajat Patidar who has struggled in the series thus far.

Padikkal set for Test debut

Padikkal replaced KL Rahul after the latter had picked up an injury in the first Test in Hyderabad. Padikkal was added to the squad for the Third Test. Now reports are suggesting that he will be making his Test debut in Dharamsala. “Padikkal will make his debut in Dharamsala,” Hindustan Times quoted a BCCI source as saying. “Rahul is unlikely to be available and the team management wants to have a look at Padikkal as it is the last international fixture before the IPL.”

Devdutt Padikkal meanwhile has been in really good form in domestic red-ball cricket for the last few months. The Rajasthan Royals youngster has scored three centuries and a total of 556 runs at an average of 92.66 thus far. Overall, he has 2227 runs from 31 first-class games at an average of 44.54.

See also: IND vs ENG: 4th Test: How does Shubman Gill Dominate the Second Innings in the Series?

What happened to Rajat Patidar?

According to the report, the decision was taken by chief selector Ajit Agarkar after consultations with captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and other staff. If this happens Padikkal will become the fifth debutant in the series after Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Akash Deep. While Sarfaraz Khan and Jurel have done well, Patidar has failed to prove his worth. Patidar scored 32, 9, 5, 0, 17, and 0 in his appearances in the Test between India and England.

India will take on England in Dharamsala for the fifth Test match of the series the hosts are leading 3-1.