NEW DELHI: Top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who was on tour with the India A side for two four-day matches, was asked to stay back as a batting backup by the BCCI due to the absence of captain Rohit Sharma and No. 3 bat Shumban Gill (fractured finger) from the opening Test match against Australia.
In lieu of Rohit, Padikkal will be included in the 18-man squad for the opening Test match at Perth's Opus Stadium.
A source claims that Padikkal will probably bat at number three.
Ahead of the first Test against Australia, the BCCI shared a video on their official X handle where the left-handed Padikkal shared his experience and excitement of training with the group.
In the video Padikkal says, "I feel pretty surreal to be honest. The intensity at the practice session is pretty high, you feel that challenge, you feel that everyone is ready, raring to go for the big series ahead, so it's always been a pleasure having training sessions with the Indian side because they feel as big as a match, so hopefully we can translate that into the game as well."
During the Australia trip, the left-hander, who was recently included in Karnataka's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team, scored 36, 88, 26, and 1 for India 'A'.
Even though these performances aren't very noteworthy, Padikkal is the best option for batting backup because to his background and knowledge with Australian conditions.
Padikkal continues in the video, "Coming here for the A tour, I, somewhere, at the back of my head, I was hoping that I could do well enough to stay back. I am glad that I'm getting this opportunity and I hope I can make it count."
Padikkal made his Test debut against England earlier this year at Dharamsala, scoring 65 runs at No. 4.
