Devdutt Padikkal Replaces Rahul : For Third Test in England's Tour

Devdutt Padikkal Replaces Rahul : For Third Test in England’s Tour of India

Devdutt Padikkal Replaces Rahul : In a significant development during England’s tour of India, KL Rahul, a key player in the Indian cricket team, has been ruled out of the upcoming third Test in Rajkot. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this announcement on February 12, 2024, citing fitness concerns. However, there is optimism as Rahul is on the path to recovery, reaching 90% of match fitness, and will continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

KL Rahul’s Road to Recovery: KL Rahul’s availability for the remaining three Tests was contingent on his fitness, and it has been confirmed that he won’t be participating in the third Test against England. The BCCI Medical Team is overseeing his progress, and he is expected to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Tests. The decision to keep him out of the third Test is a strategic move to ensure a full recovery and to have him back in prime form for the later stages of the series.

Devdutt Padikkal Named Replacement: To fill the void left by KL Rahul, the Men’s Selection Committee has named Devdutt Padikkal as his replacement for the third Test, scheduled to commence on February 15, 2024. Devdutt Padikkal, known for his explosive batting and impressive performances in domestic cricket, will join the Indian squad in Rajkot. This presents a golden opportunity for Padikkal to showcase his talent on the international stage and contribute to India’s efforts against England.

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Revised India Squad for the Third Test: With KL Rahul out and Devdutt Padikkal stepping in, the revised Indian squad for the third Test includes the following players:

Rohit Sharma (C)
Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Rajat Patidar
Sarfaraz Khan
Dhruv Jurel (WK)
KS Bharat (WK)
R Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja*
Axar Patel
Washington Sundar
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohd. Siraj
Mukesh Kumar
Akash Deep
Devdutt Padikkal

This lineup reflects a mix of experienced players and promising talents, aiming to maintain India’s dominance in the series against England.

Early Life of Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal, born on July 7, 2000, in Edappal, Kerala, India, is a promising young cricketer who has quickly made a name for himself in Indian cricket. Here’s a glimpse into Devdutt Padikkal’s early life and some of his notable achievements:

Family Background: Devdutt Padikkal comes from a middle-class family with a strong cricketing influence. His father, Babunu Kunnath Padikkal, was a club-level cricketer, and his mother, Ambili Padikkal, has been a constant support throughout his career.
Shift to Bangalore: At the age of 11, Devdutt Padikkal moved from Kerala to Bangalore in pursuit of better cricketing opportunities. This decision proved pivotal in shaping his cricketing career.

Cricketing Journey:

School Cricket: Devdutt Padikkal first made waves in school cricket, representing Army Public School in Bangalore. His consistent performances at the junior level caught the eye of scouts and selectors.
Domestic Debut: Padikkal made his debut for Karnataka in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier domestic Twenty20 competition. His impressive performances in the tournament signaled the beginning of a promising career.
IPL Debut with RCB: In 2019, Devdutt Padikkal made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He had a standout season, finishing as the leading run-scorer for RCB in 2020, showcasing his ability to perform under the pressure of a high-profile tournament.
List A Success: Padikkal’s success continued in List A cricket, where he played a crucial role for Karnataka. He contributed significantly to Karnataka’s triumph in the 2019–20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Notable Achievements:

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 2019–20: Devdutt Padikkal’s breakthrough season in domestic cricket came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he amassed 580 runs at an impressive strike rate. His performances played a key role in Karnataka’s title-winning campaign.
IPL 2020 Performance: In the 2020 IPL season, Padikkal’s elegant left-handed batting style caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. He scored 473 runs in 15 matches, establishing himself as one of the brightest young talents in the tournament.
India A Representation: Padikkal has been a part of the India A setup, showcasing his skills at a higher level and making a strong case for national selection.

Devdutt Padikkal’s journey from a young aspirant in Bangalore to a prominent figure in Indian cricket is a testament to his talent, dedication, and hard work. As he continues to evolve in the cricketing world, fans eagerly anticipate more achievements from this budding cricketer.

Few FAQ.s on Devdutt Padikkal Replaces Rahul

Q: Why is KL Rahul ruled out of the third Test against England?
- A: KL Rahul is ruled out due to fitness concerns, and he is currently at 90% match fitness. He will continue his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Q: When is the third Test between India and England scheduled to start?
- A: The third Test is set to begin on February 15, 2024.
Q: Who has been named as KL Rahul’s replacement for the third Test?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal has been named as the replacement for KL Rahul in the third Test.
Q: Where is KL Rahul undergoing his recovery process?
- A: KL Rahul is recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Q: What percentage of match fitness has KL Rahul reached?
- A: KL Rahul has reached 90% of match fitness.
Q: Who is overseeing KL Rahul’s recovery process?
- A: The BCCI Medical Team is supervising KL Rahul’s recovery.
Q: What is the Men’s Selection Committee’s decision regarding KL Rahul for the fourth and fifth Tests?
- A: KL Rahul is expected to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Tests.
Q: When was the announcement made about KL Rahul’s unavailability for the third Test?
- A: The announcement was made on February 12, 2024.
Q: What is the revised Indian squad for the third Test against England?
- A: The revised squad includes players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, and others.
Q: Who is the current Secretary of the BCCI as per the information provided?
- A: Jay Shah is the Honorary Secretary of the BCCI.
Q: Where was Devdutt Padikkal born?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal was born in Edappal, Kerala, India.
Q: At what age did Devdutt Padikkal move from Kerala to Bangalore?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal moved to Bangalore at the age of 11.
Q: Which team did Devdutt Padikkal debut for in the IPL?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal made his IPL debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Q: In which domestic tournament did Padikkal finish as the leading run-scorer in 2019-20?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal finished as the leading run-scorer in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Q: What is Devdutt Padikkal’s batting style?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal is a left-handed batsman.
Q: How many runs did Padikkal score in the 2020 IPL season?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal scored 473 runs in the 2020 IPL season.
Q: In which city is the third Test between India and England scheduled to be held?
- A: The third Test is scheduled to be held in Rajkot.
Q: Who is the captain of the Indian cricket team for the third Test?
- A: Rohit Sharma is the captain for the third Test.
Q: When did Devdutt Padikkal make his domestic debut for Karnataka?
- A: Devdutt Padikkal made his debut for Karnataka in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Q: Who are the two wicketkeepers listed in the revised Indian squad for the third Test?
- A: Dhruv Jurel and KS Bharat are the two wicketkeepers in the revised squad.

Conclusion: Devdutt Padikkal Replaces Rahul

The absence of KL Rahul in the third Test is undoubtedly a setback, but the decision to prioritize his recovery showcases the team’s commitment to long-term success. Devdutt Padikkal’s inclusion adds an exciting dimension to the squad, providing an opportunity for the young talent to make a mark. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming Test match in Rajkot, anticipating compelling performances from both sides in this highly anticipated series.