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Devdutt Padikkal Likely To Steal Karun Nair’s Test Spot vs West Indies: Report
Follow UsNair made a comeback to the Test side after eight years for the England series, but failed to seize the opportunity
Devdutt Padikkal could find himself back in India’s Test squad at the expense of Karun Nair for the upcoming two-match series against West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad. According to a report on Cricbuzz, the national selection meeting for the series is scheduled for September 24 (Wednesday).
Nair, who made a comeback to the Test side after eight years for the England series, failed to seize the opportunity. The right-hander scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62 across eight innings, managing only a solitary fifty in a high-scoring series that witnessed over 7000 runs, 21 centuries, and 29 half-centuries. Despite getting starts, he struggled to convert them into anything substantial.
Padikkal, meanwhile, has been in outstanding form in red-ball cricket. The Karnataka left-hander, who has 90 runs from three Test innings so far, recently struck a superb 150 against Australia A in Lucknow. Before that, he made 57 and an unbeaten 16 for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
India are also expected to be without Rishabh Pant, who fractured his right toe during the England series and is yet to recover fully. Dhruv Jurel, in fine form with the bat, will continue as first-choice wicketkeeper, with N Jagadeesan as the back-up option.
In the spin department, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel are likely to be the three all-rounders, while Kuldeep Yadav is set to retain his place as the specialist wrist-spinner.
Among the fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna are the front-runners, though Bumrah could be rested for the opening Test given his Asia Cup commitments, which run until September 28. Akash Deep is still recovering from injury and may not feature.
India’s batting core looks settled with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and Shubman Gill forming the top four. Padikkal is tipped to come in at No.5, while Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan could also be considered, though the report indicates all-rounder Nitish Reddy is being looked at more seriously.
India’s likely squad for West Indies Tests: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Reddy, N Jagadeesan