Devdutt Padikkal: The positions of number 3 and 4 are very important in cricket. This is that sensitive spot, which to a large extent decides which way the match will turn. At this number in Indian Test history, legendary players like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara stood as an unbreakable wall for Team India for years. Obviously, to handle number-3, a batsman is needed who can not only play long innings but can also provide stability to the innings. After Pujara, Team India has been searching for a batsman for the number-3 position for some time now. India tried many players for this important position, but no one could fully live up to the expectations. However, now it seems that this long search of the Indian team is about to end. Left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal has strengthened his claim for this position by performing brilliantly at number-3 in the first Test against Sri Lanka, so let us know why Padikkal is the perfect contender for this position.
Unmatched record of first class cricket
Devdutt Padikkal has consistently performed well for Karnataka in domestic cricket. He has a long experience of red ball cricket and has proved himself by scoring runs under pressure on difficult pitches. Usually, the batsmen in number-3 position often have to face the new ball, because if an opener gets out early, they have to come out to bat immediately. Padikkal has a very solid defensive technique, due to which he plays the ball close to his body. He is adept at swinging and releasing seaming balls with ease. Not only this, due to his tall stature he gets an additional advantage in dealing with pace and bounce against fast bowlers.
Padikkal had scored a total of 543 runs in 10 innings in the 2025-26 season of Ranji Trophy at an excellent average of 60.33. During this brilliant performance, he scored 2 centuries and 1 half-century. His first-class career best score was also 232 runs. Seeing his performance, he got a chance in the Test series against Sri Lanka.
DEVDUTT PADDIKAL IN LAST 12 MONTHS:
– 725 runs, 90.6 average in VHT.
– 543 runs, 60.33 average in Ranji.
– 309 runs, 61.8 average in SMAT.
– 464 runs, 168.72 SR in IPL.
– 142*(164) in Practice Match for India.
– 167(230) in first Test Vs SL.Incredible, Devdutt Paddikal. 🙇 pic.twitter.com/wzQPL9bwlz
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 16, 2026
Strategic advantage of left handed batsman
Right-handed batsmen have also dominated the top-order of the Indian Test team. Devdutt Padikkal is a left-handed batsman. In such a situation, his coming to bat at number 3 gives the Indian team an excellent combination of right and left hands in the top-order. This combination is the most accurate strategy to spoil the line-length of the bowlers of any opposing team and disturb the field setting of the opposition captain.
patience to play long innings
In modern cricket, there is often a lack of patience among the batsmen, because due to the influence of T20 format, they hurry even in Test matches and lose their wickets. However, Devdutt Padikkal has amazing patience when it comes to spending time at the crease. He progresses his innings slowly and waits for the bad ball. He has the amazing skill of batting with complete composure in every session of a test match.
Equally capable against spin and fast bowling
An excellent number-3 batsman in Test cricket is one who is adept at playing well against both fast bowlers abroad and spinners in the subcontinent. Due to his tall stature, Padikkal makes excellent use of his steps against the spinners. This is the reason why he does not allow the spinners to survive easily. Apart from this, he also hits excellent pull and cut shots against fast bowlers. It is clear that he is fully capable of playing big shots when needed.
future of indian cricket
The Indian Test team is currently going through a phase of change under the leadership of young captain Shubman Gill. In such a situation, the team management is under pressure to prepare a strong top-order for the next 5-7 years, especially for the important position of number-3 which can become a wall for the team. Considering Devdutt Padikkal's age and his excellent fitness, giving him a chance to bat continuously at the number-3 position can prove to be a great investment for the future of Indian cricket.
1⃣6⃣7⃣ Runs
2⃣3⃣0⃣ Balls
1⃣5⃣ Fours
1⃣ SixThat was a top-tier knock from Devdutt Padikkal 🔝 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/WHXkfnivbw#TeamIndia | #SLvINDpic.twitter.com/nJRvxurRBt
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 16, 2026
Devdutt Padikkal showed his magic in his first overseas test.
The first Test match played against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium was no less than a dream for Devdutt Padikkal. This batsman batted brilliantly in both the innings of this test and put Team India in a strong position. Only Padikkal scored a century for India in the first innings. Devdutt Padikkal, playing his first Test on foreign soil, created a stir by scoring 167 runs in the first innings, while in the second innings he scored 44 runs. In this way, Padikkal scored a total of 211 runs by combining both the innings.
With this, Padikkal has also made a big record. Padikkal has now become only the third Indian player to score 200 or more runs in a Test match while batting at number-3 position on foreign soil. Before this, only Rahul Dravid and Sanjay Manjrekar had done this for India.
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