Irfan Pathan backs Devdutt Padikkal to bat at no.3 in one-off Test against Afghanistan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed Devdutt Padikkal to bat at one drop in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan. Padikkal was picked in the Test squad for the solitary match against Afghanistan, which will be played after the conclusion of the ongoing IPL 2026.

Padikkal has been in dream form in the ongoing IPL, scoring 412 runs in 12 innings at an average of 37.45 and a strike rate of 173.10.

The left-hander has scored 90 runs in two Test matches for India and has amassed 3627 runs in 54 first-class matches at an average of 42.67.

“Devdutt Padikkal is in the squad as well. This means he has to be locked at No.3. This move will be important as you need a good batter at number three in Tests. Sai Sudharsan played in England, but Devdutt has done well in domestic cricket, he has scored runs, and right now, he is doing well for RCB in the IPL as well. His confidence is high, and I think it is important to lock him here,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

In the previous season of the Ranji Trophy, Padikkal scored 563 runs in 10 innings for Karnataka. 

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been given the vice-captaincy baton, replacing Rishabh Pant. Pathan said it is a good move to relieve Pant of the leadership duties.

“KL Rahul is the vice-captain of the Test team and not Rishabh Pant. Pant has lost his spot in the ODI and T20I teams as well. Now he will play Tests as a batter. I hope there is not much mental pressure on him now because he is a special player. His position has changed here, so maybe going forward, things can change from the combination perspective as well,” he stated.

The only Test of Afghanistan’s tour will be played from June 6-10 in Mullanpur – a first for the New Chandigarh venue.

India Test squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel.