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The rise of Devdutt Padikkal could dent Sai Sudharsan's momentum with the India National Cricket Team, as former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth believed. Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the entire Test series against Sri Lanka because of a toe injury.
In the last year, before the Sri Lanka series, Sudharsan used to play as the No.3 batter. In his absence, the team management chose Devdutt Padikkal as their new number three. Padikkal welcomed the opportunity with both arms, scoring 131* off 178 deliveries on Day 1 of the ongoing India vs Sri Lanka Test match in Galle.
Will the Indian team management drop Devdutt Padikkal for Sai Sudharsan?
After the century, it will be hard for the team management to drop Devdutt Padikkal once Sai Sudharsan regains his match fitness. The number three batting position remains an unsolved puzzle for the Indian batting line-up, as multiple batters have played from this particular batting spot on multiple occasions.
Padikkal, who is backed by a brilliant domestic cricket career and Indian Premier League seasons, could be the long-term solution for which the team has been looking.
Sai Sudharsan is going to be in trouble: Kris Srikkanth after the century of Devdutt Padikkal
While talking on this official YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Kris Srikkanth said that Sai Sudharsan will be in trouble as Padikkal confirmed the number three spot for himself. The former cricketer mentioned that it is also a cricketer's duty to keep himself fit. Missing a vital series of his career because of a fitness-related issue is not a strong excuse for Srikkanth.
"Now Sai Sudharsan is going to be in trouble. While he has done well at No.3, Padikkal has cemented that spot now. This is where Sai could ill afford to miss a game, citing injury. I won't accept the excuse of too much cricket being played. You have to keep yourself fit. Now Padikkal can't be dropped, and Sai will suffer because of this injury absence. For Sai to come back, it's going to be that much more difficult," the former India opener opined.
Kris Srikkanth highlighted the importance of domestic cricket
Srikkanth thoroughly enjoyed the batting of Devdutt Padikkal, which was filled with copybook shots. Praising the left-handed batter's drives and cuts, the former batter highlighted the importance of domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy. The former India captain mentioned that with the emergence of Padikkal, performances in the Ranji Trophy and in the Duleep Trophy will be maximized for the Team India selection process.
"What a comeback by Padikkal. His batting has such elegance. He hasn't let go of his incredible form from domestic cricket to the IPL. His drives and cuts are superb, full of fluency. It also shows that those who shine at the domestic level are doing well for India as well. Now performances in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy will be taken up seriously. Just doing well in the IPL to play for India won't happen," he added.
