Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad set for major roles in Indian Test Team

The BCCI and the Indian selectors are slowly shifting their full focus back to Test cricket, and some big plans are already in motion involving Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

After the immense success in T20 cricket, where they won back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, the Indian cricket team management now wants to build a strong red-ball team for the upcoming cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

In this new plan, domestic batting superstars like Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be given big roles, as reported by The Times of India. Padikkal, who is currently playing for RCB in the ongoing IPL 2026, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is leading the CSK, are being seen as important options for the Test team.

Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad set for big roles in India’s Test plans

According to a close BCCI source, the selectors are focusing on building a strong batting line-up for Test cricket after a shocking dip in the team’s performance, especially in the home conditions. India lost home series to New Zealand and South Africa in recent years.

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Devdutt Padikkal is being considered for a top-order role and could fight for the No. 3 spot with Sai Sudharsan, who failed to live up to the expectations on the England tour.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been sensational for Maharashtra, is also seen as a good option for the middle-order, especially because he can play spin well in Indian conditions.

Dhruv Jurel set to play as specialist batter in Tests

Another player in the picture is the young Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel. The Rajasthan Royals star has already risen as the leader and the multi-format player for India, but he is likely to be utilized purely as a batter going forward in Tests despite his remarkable wicketkeeping.

The BCCI source revealed that Jurel is being looked at as a solid middle-order batter in Tests, which is a clear hint that India will back Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper for the next WTC cycle despite his slump in form and losing spots in the white-ball teams.

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India to manage Jasprit Bumrah carefully for WTC

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah apart from Ruturaj Gaikwad and the RCB star. He is very important for India’s bowling, but his fitness is a big concern. The selectors and team management want to manage Bumrah properly so that he stays fit for the full Test season.

India has a busy schedule ahead, so the main aim is to do well in the WTC, and the plan is to use Bumrah carefully. He is likely to play most of the important Test matches, but is likely to be rested from some other formats to avoid too much pressure on his body.

The BCCI source added, “The attempt is to keep Bumrah fit enough to play all Tests. He is expected to play the four Tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The challenge will be to keep him fresh for the five Tests at home against Australia. The selectors won’t mind resting him for some ODI series. He played T20 cricket after a gap of two years in the Asia Cup last Sept and still delivered.”