Overview
- Ravichandran Ashwin called on his YouTube channel for Devdutt Padikkal to be India’s long-term No. 3 in Tests after the RCB batter hit 39 off 27 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur.
- Ashwin praised Padikkal’s sharper play against spin, pointing to new sweep shots, quicker footwork, and a style he said shows a Dinesh Karthik imprint.
- Padikkal strengthened his case with 2025–26 domestic returns, scoring 725 Vijay Hazare Trophy runs at about 90.62 and 543 in the Ranji Trophy, including a 232 in the semifinal at No. 3.
- His Test sample is small, with two caps in 2024 that included a debut 65 in Dharamshala and scores of 0 and 25 in Perth while batting at first drop.
- Ashwin argued IPL form drives opportunities, citing Sai Sudharsan’s Orange Cap as the reason he moved ahead, while Padikkal’s 2026 IPL tally sits at 367 runs at a 172.30 strike rate with three fifties.