The 5th Test between India and England have brought on many milestones and achievements for Team India players. Among them was another special moment for Devdutt Padikkal who got his maiden Team India cap in the 5th and final Test of the series in Dharamsala. Replacing injured KL Rahul in the team, Padikkal went on to show grab his chance with both hands and increase India’s lead on Day 2.
A TEST FIFTY ON DEBUT BY DEVDUTT PADIKKAL…!!! 🔥
A quality innings by Padikkal – he’s showcasing his class in the very first innings. pic.twitter.com/phFBcTbUSD
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 8, 2024
Padikkal scored a confident 65 off 103 deliveries, consisting of 10 boundaries and 1 six after which he was dismissed by England spinner Shoaib Bashir. Both Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal scored determined half-centuries before falling victim to Shoaib Bashir.
In the subsequent session, Ben Stokes dismissed Rohit Sharma with a delivery that crashed into the stumps, while James Anderson swiftly removed Shubman Gill after both batsmen had achieved impressive centuries. As a result of England’s disappointing total of 218, the hosts secured a lead in the match.
English cricket commentator Nick Knight was full of praise for the youngster and said “Devdutt Padikkal has one of the most glorious off-drives I have seen in recent times. I’ve got to admit to you, though, with the first five or 10-15 minutes, I was a bit concerned about the bodyweight being back and he hit one or two in the air through covers. Now I think, since he’s got in and his footwork’s become crisper, we’re back to what I thought I saw before he started this innings.”
“So really good signs. And let’s face it, you’re on Test match debut. Your footwork’s not be as crisp. I think there was a little bit of that in it, perhaps a little bit here rather than being there. But I thought it was a really impressive debut so far,” Knight added.
Also Read: IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Rohit Sharma Sets Record Books On Fire In Dharamsala