India National Cricket Team have faced a few injury blows ahead of the first Test against the Australia National Cricket Team. This has made BCCI think about adding one among Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan into the main squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
India National Cricket Team batter Shubman Gill faced a finger injury during the match simulation and is in doubt for the first Test against the Australia National Cricket Team. Apart from him, KL Rahul, too, coped a blow while batting, and skipper Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be available for the first game.
With two key players, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, likely to miss the first Test, India team management is looking to add Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan. As per the reports in the Times of India, it is learned either of the ones will be asked to stay back with the team as a backup player.
One of Sai or Devdutt could well stay back too – BCCI source
The reports claimed that the final call related to the development would be made by the coach, captain, and selectors. Speaking to Times of India, a source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said:
“The final call will be with the coach, captain and selectors but there is a strong possibility of management asking one specialist top-order batter to stay back for the series opener. Abhimanyu Easwaran is already there but one of Sai or Devdutt could well stay back too,”
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Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan have been in Australia for a while
Both Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan have been in Australia for a while. They were part of the India A squad for the two fixtures vs Australia A last month and they both arguably were the best batters of the team in two games, scoring runs in both the games.
Padikkal and Sudharsan also have been part of the ongoing match simulations in Perth. The India A players are scheduled to fly out of Perth around midnight on November 17 but there is a strong possibility of one of the two elegant southpaws staying back.
Devdutt Padikkal reportedly has impressed head selector Ajit Agarkar
Devdutt Padikkal reportedly has impressed head selector Ajit Agarkar, and this was one of the main reasons he was fast-tracked for the England Tests. He slammed his solid half-century on his debut for India and ended with an innings of 65 runs.
Devdutt Padikkal continued his golden touch in the Australia A game as he scored 88 in the first fixture in Mackay. After that, he looked decent in the second game as well, and his experience in the top order will be crucial for the team.
Sai Sudharsan, on the other hand, hit a glorious ton in the game against India A. He recently also hit a double hundred in the Ranji Trophy and also scored a hundred in the Duleep Trophy and for Surrey in the English County circuit.
