IND vs ENG 5th Test: Devdutt Padikkal becomes fifth Indian player to make test debut in last one month

Left-handed opener Devdutt Padikkal has made his test debut in Dharamshala.

The ongoing five-match test series between India and England has given Team India their new batch. The young ones are ready to take on the world with full might, as the Indian team have entered a phase of transition. A total five players have made their debut for India in the ongoing Anthony de Mello Trophy 2024. This also helped India to win the ongoing test series.

Left-hand opening batter Devdutt Padikkal has become the fifth Indian player to make his debut. Padikkal replaced Rajat Patidar at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Apart from Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Akash Deep made their debuts against England in the five match test series.

Who is Devdutt Padikkal?

After KL Rahul and Rajat Patidar’s injury, Devdutt Padikkal was a certain option to be picked in the Indian playing XI. Padikkal became the 314th test player for India. The batter was not even in contention for the red-ball format. He also suffered a major health issue in 2022 which hampered his game in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. But unfazed by all these issues, Padikkal has finally landed into the Indian playing XI.

Devdutt Padikkal has scored three hundreds in first-class cricket for India A and Karnataka in his last six innings and that helped him attract the attention from the selection panel. Rahul’s injury also played a pivotal role in him getting his maiden test call-up. Padikkal has played 31 first-class games and batted in 53 innings. He’s scored 2227 runs at an average of 44.54 with 12 fifties and six centuries.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss at HPCA Stadium and elected to bat first. Indian off-spinner Ravi Ashwin touched a special milestone of playing 100 test matches for India. England middle-order batter Jonny Bairstow also completed his 100th test in Dharamshala. India are 3-1 up in the series.

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