The ongoing IND vs ENG series has been nothing short of exceptional. Both India and England have played some aggressive brand of cricket and have thoroughly entertained the crowd. Although India has won the series by 3-1, the excitement for the last game is as big as it was for the first game.
IND vs ENG: Devdutt Padikkal to replace this place to make his debut in the 5th Test against England
The IND vs ENG fifth Test is just a few days away from now. The match will take place in Dharamsala from 7th March. With the match just a few days away from now, some changes are expected to take place in the Indian team for the final game.
As per the reports in Hindustan Times, it is learned that Devdutt Padikkal is all set to make his debut for the Indian team in the IND vs ENG 5th Test. The left-hander will be replacing Rajat Patidar in the Indian XI for the final game of the series.
Rajat Patidar has struggled to get going in the ongoing IND vs ENG series. The batter has returned with the scores of 32, 9, 5, 0, 17 and 0. He failed to live up to the expectations and reportedly was asked by the team management to get back to the Ranji Trophy.
A source close to BCCI confirmed the development and also stated that KL Rahul will be missing the game. He claimed that travelled to the United Kingdom to seek consultations and treatment for his injury. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he explained:
“Padikkal will make his debut in Dharamsala. Rahul is unlikely to be available and the team management wants to have a look at Padikkal as it is the last international fixture before the IPL”
The reports claimed that to hand Devdutt Padikkal’s debut for the final IND vs ENG is a decision of chief selector Ajit Agarkar after consultations with skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. If he makes his debut he will be the fifth debut for the team in the series.
Devdutt Padikkal was included in the team for the IND vs ENG series after his rollicking performances in the Ranji Trophy. In the four games this season, the batter massed 556 runs at an average of 92.66.
The batter had registered scores of 193, 42, 31, 103, 105, 65, 21, 151 and 36 before he was called up. Overall, he has 2227 runs from 31 first-class games at an average of 44.54.