'Sealed the No.3 spot' - Ajinkya Rahane's huge verdict on Devdutt Padikkal after Sri Lanka heroics

Devdutt Padikkal delivered an outstanding performance in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, establishing himself as a key player in India's middle order. Padikkal was adjudged Player of the Series after accumulating 328 runs across three innings at an average of 109.33, including two centuries with a highest score of 167. India won the series 1-0, and Padikkal's assured batting at number three emerged as a major positive for the team during the campaign.

Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain, offered his assessment of Padikkal's performance and prospects in the role. Speaking about the young batter's immediate standing in the team, Rahane delivered his verdict on whether Padikkal had done enough to secure the position.

"I think he has temporarily sealed the No.3 spot. This is his own hard work, and I am happy with his performance. When they go to New Zealand, the conditions will be different, and preparation will have to be different. But for now, we can celebrate these two centuries," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

Rahane elaborated on what made Padikkal's batting particularly impressive during the series. The former batter emphasised the importance of intent and authority when batting at number three, qualities he observed in Padikkal's approach throughout the matches.

"The way Padikkal batted in both games, one thing was visible that how you look to dominate bowlers while playing at number three, and he did that. Scoring back-to-back hundreds is not easy. It is always important to be decisive as a batter, and he showed that. The intent was there," Rahane added.

"He had all the shots. He got the opportunity, and he presented his case by batting with authority and the way he scored runs. He read the situation well," he further noted.

Padikkal's domestic form in recent months also underscored his readiness for international cricket. In the Ranji Trophy, he accumulated 543 runs in six matches and 10 innings at an average of 60.33, including two centuries and one fifty. His standout knock of 232 runs came against Uttarakhand in the semifinal, demonstrating his ability to build substantial innings, though Karnataka finished runners-up in the tournament.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Padikkal was the second-highest run-scorer with 725 runs in nine innings at an average of 90.62, scoring four centuries and two fifties. This consistent domestic performance provided the foundation for his successful transition to Test cricket at number three.

Padikkal had replaced injured Sai Sudharsan in the Sri Lanka series, and his performance justified the opportunity given to him. His back-to-back centuries and the manner in which he accumulated runs demonstrated his readiness to handle the demands of Test cricket in the middle order.