Devdutt Padikkal Backed for India No. 3 Test Spot Ahead of Afghanistan Clash
The Race for India’s No. 3 Test Spot
The Indian cricket landscape is bracing for a significant transition as the national team prepares to host Afghanistan in a high-profile one-off Test match this June. While the contest remains outside the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it serves as a critical testing ground for the selectors. With a tight turnaround between the IPL final and the commencement of the Test, the team management is expected to evaluate fresh talent, potentially resting senior players who have carried the load throughout a grueling season.
Central to this selection debate is the prestigious No. 3 spot in the batting order. Following the departures of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the responsibility of stabilizing the innings has fallen to a new generation. Among the primary contenders, RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as a clear favorite, championed by some of the most influential voices in Indian cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Technical Assessment
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been vocal in his support for the left-handed batter. According to Ashwin, Padikkal’s evolution as a cricketer makes him the ideal candidate for the long-term No. 3 role in the longest format. The RCB youngster has been in scintillating form during IPL 2026, amassing 367 runs in just 12 games with an impressive strike rate of 172.30.
“I want Devdutt Padikkal to be India’s No. 3 in Test cricket. He has batted so well, and he deserves to be an incumbent Test player for India. He should be given a long-term chance,” Ashwin remarked on his YouTube channel. The legendary spinner highlights that Padikkal’s game has undergone a structural change. Previously reliant on back-foot play, the batter has integrated the reverse sweep, conventional sweep, and proactive footwork into his arsenal.
Ashwin further observed a stylistic shift in the youngster, noting, “When I see his batting, I feel that there is a little bit of Dinesh Karthik’s imprint. He is very proactive against spinners.” This adaptability against spin is widely considered a prerequisite for success in the Indian sub-continent, giving Padikkal a distinct edge in the selection race.
Challenging the Status Quo: Sai Sudharsan vs. Padikkal
The current incumbent at the No. 3 position, Sai Sudharsan, has faced mounting pressure due to inconsistent performances. Since the dawn of the Shubman Gill-led era, Sudharsan has struggled to cement his place, recording 302 runs across 11 Test innings at a modest average of 27.45. Ashwin openly questioned the initial prioritization of Sudharsan over Padikkal, suggesting that the former’s acquisition of the Orange Cap in the 2025 IPL season may have unfairly tipped the scales in his favor at the time.
“Padikkal was the front runner in the race for the Test cricket team, but Sai Sudharsan surpassed him. Sudharsan is also a good player, but he batted ahead of Padikkal. How did he get that opportunity?” Ashwin asked. The argument centers on the necessity of rewarding consistent First-Class performance alongside T20 success.
The Gambhir Factor and Statistical Evidence
Reports from Cricblogger suggest that head coach Gautam Gambhir is also a significant admirer of Padikkal’s temperament and technique. The backing from the coaching staff suggests that a change could be imminent. While Sai Sudharsan continues to receive support from captain Shubman Gill, his statistical output leaves the door wide open for competition.
In contrast, Padikkal’s domestic resume is robust. During the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, he hammered 543 runs in 10 innings at an average of 60.33, including two centuries and a half-century. These figures indicate that he is not merely an IPL specialist but a batter with the patience and proficiency required for Test cricket.
As the selection committee prepares to announce the squad for the Afghanistan Test, the pressure is mounting to justify team selections based on long-term growth rather than short-term IPL form. Whether Devdutt Padikkal secures the coveted No. 3 slot remains to be seen, but the consensus among experts is clear: the RCB batter is ready for the rigors of Test cricket, and his time to shine on the international stage may finally have arrived.
Vivaan Sharma is a senior cricket analyst based in Hyderabad known for his in-depth coverage of IPL strategy, bowling performance metrics, and advanced cricket statistics. He has worked with multiple sports media platforms to deliver analytical content for cricket fans and fantasy league followers.
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