Devdutt Padikkal, the elegant southpaw, made a memorable debut in the ongoing fifth Test against England at Dharamshala. After receiving his India cap from veteran Ravi Ashwin, Padikkal revealed the invaluable advice he received from head coach Rahul Dravid.
Dravid’s words of encouragement, “In the first 10-15 minutes you will have nerves, but go out and enjoy it,” helped Padikkal overcome his initial jitters and construct a composed debut fifty. The Karnataka batter stroked a fine 65 off 103 deliveries, showcasing his lazy elegance and impressive technique.
Padikkal’s partnership with Sarfaraz Khan (97 runs) steadied the Indian innings after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill. Despite some lucky edges, Padikkal displayed a calm demeanor and grew in confidence with each boundary he scored.
Reflecting on his debut experience, Padikkal admitted to feeling nervous initially but emphasized the importance of using that energy positively. He praised the support of familiar faces in the dressing room and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent India.
However, England fought back in the final session, with Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claiming four wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah steadied the ship for India, ensuring the hosts ended the day on 428/8.
Padikkal’s debut performance has earned him widespread praise, with pundits and fans alike impressed by his composure and skill. The 21-year-old has shown that he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian Test team for years to come.
