DTVHINDI
Devdutt Padikal will represent Team D in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which will begin from September 5.
Bangladesh and New Zealand will be touring India in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Team India’s young batsman Devdutt Padikkal feels that he has cemented his place in the Test team.
In fact, Padikkal made his Test debut in the fifth and final match of the series against England in Dharamsala in March this year due to a brilliant domestic season. He scored 65 runs off 103 balls in the first innings and India defeated England by an innings and 64 runs.
Speaking to news agency PTI, the 24-year-old recalled his first Test innings and explained why he felt he was ready for the big challenge.
Padikkal said, “Honestly, before going into that match (against England), I felt ready. I felt I had earned that spot. Obviously, I played a lot of domestic cricket that year and I had scored a lot of runs in Ranji Trophy as well.”
“So, once you score runs, you get confidence. And obviously, scoring 50 (on Test debut) gave me even more confidence.”
The Karnataka batsman had a stellar 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 556 runs in four matches at an average of over 93, including three centuries. Talking about his innings in his debut Test against England in Dharamsala, Padikkal smashed 10 fours and a six before being bowled by off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
“I still have a lot to learn” – Devdutt Padikkal wants to keep improving
Padikal will represent Team D in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which begins on September 5. The left-hander said he is keen to learn and improve to take his game to a higher level.
“It is important that I keep improving. Obviously, Test cricket keeps challenging you. It is a tough format to play. So, I just have to focus on things where I can improve. There is a lot for me to learn. So, I am continuing to work on the things I need to improve.”
