South Zone skipper Tilak Varma has said that Devdutt Padikkal will slot in at No. 3 when his team takes on East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final on Sunday, September 6, with Shaik Rasheed set to be benched after scores of 0 and 1 in the semifinal against North Zone.
Padikkal exploited his fortuitous entry into the Indian team, courtesy of an injury to Sai Sudharsan, for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka to the hilt.
Now, Padikkal will be hoping to replicate that performance for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final. It will help his team regain the title after 2023, but such an effort will further boost Padikkal’s claim for a longer run at No. 3.
“His coming into the side will really strengthen our batting line-up. The kind of form we have
seen from him in the last two or three games has been really great, so having him will be a big boost for us,” Tilak said while speaking at the pre-match press conference.
Seasoned pacer Mohammed Siraj, who could replace the injured Vidwath Kaverappa, will need to hit top gear ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
“It will be a big boost for us with the kind of form Siraj and Padikkal are in. It will be really helpful. They can share their experience with the players since we have quite a few young players in the side,” Tilak said.
“Ricky Bhui has played as an opener before, but he has been playing in the middle-order for some time now. He is a senior player and he can adjust to the role; that is why we thought he could open with Jaggi,” Tilak added.
Earlier, PTI reported that the selection committee had asked Rahul, Padikkal and Siraj to play in the Duleep Trophy final. But Tilak confirmed on Saturday, September 5, that Rahul isn’t with the team in Chennai.
