Devdutt Padikkal Poised for India Test Return as No. 3 Candidate
A Pivotal Opening for India’s Test Future
As India prepares to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match this June, the discourse surrounding the team’s batting lineup has intensified. With the match falling outside the World Test Championship cycle and taking place shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, selectors are expected to experiment with the squad. A primary area of focus is the crucial No. 3 position, a spot that has been the subject of significant debate following the transition into a new era under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Technical Appraisal
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become a vocal proponent of Devdutt Padikkal, advocating for the RCB batter to be handed a long-term role as India’s Test No. 3. Padikkal, who has been in stellar form during the 2026 IPL season, amassing 367 runs in 12 games at an impressive strike rate of 172.30, appears to have matured significantly as a player.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, highlighted the technical evolution he has witnessed in Padikkal’s game. “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,” Ashwin stated. The veteran spinner noted that Padikkal’s approach against spin has undergone a massive transformation. Previously reliant on back-foot play, the left-hander now employs a proactive repertoire including sweeps, reverse sweeps, and refined footwork.
Ashwin went as far as to compare the tactical intelligence in Padikkal’s batting to that of Dinesh Karthik, noting that his ability to disrupt spinners is a vital asset for any Test lineup.
The Debate Over Sai Sudharsan
The conversation regarding the No. 3 spot inevitably brings up Sai Sudharsan, who was initially selected for the role. Ashwin expressed skepticism regarding the selection process, suggesting that while Sudharsan is a talented player, his elevation to the Test squad seemed heavily influenced by his IPL 2025 Orange Cap performance rather than purely his red-ball credentials.
“Padikkal was the front runner in the race for the Test cricket team, but Sai Sudharsan surpassed him… Whether it is right or wrong, if you perform in IPL along with First-Class cricket, your selection becomes much easier,” Ashwin remarked. With Sudharsan struggling to make an impact in the longest format—averaging 27.45 over 11 Test innings—the pressure on the management to reconsider their options has grown, leaving the door wide open for Padikkal.
Gambhir’s Backing and Domestic Pedigree
Beyond the endorsement from Ashwin, reports suggest that head coach Gautam Gambhir is an admirer of Padikkal’s technique and potential. While Shubman Gill has supported Sudharsan, the stark difference in recent domestic form makes the case for Padikkal difficult to ignore. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Padikkal demonstrated his red-ball capability by scoring 543 runs at an average of 60.33, including two centuries and a half-century.
These numbers contrast sharply with the current experimental phase of the Indian Test team. As the selectors finalize the squad for the Afghanistan Test, the balance between rewarding IPL success and maintaining traditional Test standards remains the key challenge. Whether Padikkal receives the call-up to cement his place as the definitive No. 3 remains to be seen, but the momentum is clearly shifting in his favor.
What Lies Ahead
The upcoming announcement of the Test squad will be a significant indicator of the team’s philosophy heading into the next phase of Indian cricket. If the management chooses to look at the form and technical adjustments highlighted by experts like Ashwin, Devdutt Padikkal could well be the man walking out at first drop against Afghanistan, marking a new chapter in his international career.
