Devdutt Padikkal to replace Virat Kohli? Aakash Chopra's leaves fans stunned with shocking revelation

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that Devdutt Padikkal could replace Virat Kohli in the national team for the first two Tests against England. Aakash Chopra highlighted Devdutt Padikkal’s batting skills, recent form, and adaptability to various conditions.

Virat Kohli will be absent for the initial two Tests due to personal reasons, as confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The selectors will announce a replacement for him, leaving uncertainty regarding his availability for the last two games of the series.

Devdutt Padikkal Is Indian Cricket’s Future – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra named Devdutt Padikkal as a potential successor to Virat Kohli, emphasizing his exceptional batting form. Chopra described Padikkal as a versatile player with proficiency against both spin and pace.

“Let me put a left-hander – Devdutt Padikkal. I say he is Indian cricket’s future but he can become the present now because he is batting extremely well. He missed a double century recently. He is batting at a different level. He is scoring runs wherever he is playing,” Chopra stated.

“He is a special player, plays spin and pace well, and has a good temperament. He is a three-format player. He did not have a good one to one-and-a-half years before the last IPL. After IPL 2023, there is no place where he hasn’t scored runs. So why not Devdutt Padikkal?,” he added.

Padikkal has amassed 1849 runs in 28 first-class matches with an impressive average of 41.08, including 4 centuries and 11 half-centuries. The southpaw smashed a remarkable 193-run knock during the match between Karnataka and Punjab in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Rajat Patidar’s Performances Have Been Amazing – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra suggested that Rajat Patidar could be another potential replacement for Virat Kohli in the Indian squad. The former Indian opener stated that Patidar has consistently scored runs since his return, including an impressive century against the England Lions.

“Rajat Patidar’s performances have been amazing. Of course, he missed an IPL in between because of injury, but after that, since he has returned, he has scored runs. He played well against the England Lions also recently,” Chopra further stated.

“A lot of people have seen him only in the IPL, so they see from the IPL angle, but they should see apart from the IPL as well. The guy plays in first-class cricket style. So Rajat Patidar is one name that comes to my mind, who is a middle-order batter and could be selected here,” he concluded.

Rajat Patidar has scored 4000 runs in 55 first-class games with an impressive average of 45.97, including 12 centuries and 22 fifties. He played a 151-run knock in the first innings of the first unofficial Test against the England Lions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The first Test is set to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, starting on January 25. Subsequent matches will take place in Visakhapatnam (February 2-6), Rajkot (February 15-19), Ranchi (February 23-27), and Dharamsala (March 7-11).

Also read: Shreyas Iyer To Be Dropped From Playing XI Against England? – Aakash Chopra Makes Shocking Revelation