‘Pretty surreal’: Devdutt Padikkal breaks silence as BCCI announces his BGT 2024-25 selection

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially confirmed that Devdutt Padikkal has been added to the India squad ahead of the series opener against Australia. Devdutt Padikkal shared his excitement about joining the national cricket team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series.

The India national cricket team is dealing with availability concerns ahead of the five-match Test series in Australia. Skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the first Test due to personal reasons. To make matters worse, Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature in the playing XI after suffering a thumb injury.

Devdutt Padikkal Joins Team India Squad Ahead Of Perth Test

On Thursday, November 21, the BCCI shared a video confirming Padikkal's addition to the squad ahead of the first Test, scheduled to take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22.

"Devdutt Padikkal has joined the #TeamIndia squad.🙌 The left-handed batter shares his experience and excitement of training with the group ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy👌👌," wrote the caption.

Devdutt Padikkal has joined the #TeamIndia squad.🙌

The left-handed batter shares his experience and excitement of training with the group ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy👌👌#AUSvIND | @devdpd07 pic.twitter.com/KxFrbIPMwS

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 21, 2024

Devdutt Padikkal All but Certain in Playing XI for First Test

Padikkal has been in decent form, with scores of 36, 88, 26, and 1 for India A against Australia A. Earlier this year, he scored 65 runs in his lone Test appearance against England in Dharamsala. In his first-class career, the 24-year-old has amassed 2,677 runs in 40 matches, including six centuries and 17 fifties.

He is all but certain to play the 1st Test match against Australia. Padikkal might bat at the No. 3 position during the series opener. Dhruv Jurel might play as a specialist batter at No. 3, while Nitish Kumar Teddy is set to make his debut. The team management could pick three pacers and one spinner in the XI.

It's Always Been A Pleasure - Devdutt Padikkal

The young batter is excited about joining the Indian team, describing it as "pretty surreal." Padikkal said that the intense practice sessions are as competitive as actual matches. Reflecting on his recent India A tour, Padikkal revealed he had hoped to perform well enough to earn a spot in the main squad.

"It feels pretty surreal, to be honest. The intensity at the practice sessions is pretty high. You feel that challenge, you feel that everyone is ready, raring to go for the big series ahead," Padikkal said.

"So, it's always been a pleasure, you know, having training sessions with the Indian side because it feels as big as a match. So hopefully we can translate that into the game as well," he added.

Coming here for the A tour, somewhere at the back of my head, I was hoping that I could do well enough to stay back. I'm glad that I'm getting this opportunity, and hopefully, I can make it count."

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