NEW DELHI: India’s top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal knows that consistent performances are the key to keeping his place in the Test team. Padikkal said he wants to keep scoring runs and contribute to India’s wins. He believes that if he continues to perform, his place in the team will take care of itself.The left-hander enjoyed an excellent tour of Sri Lanka, scoring back-to-back centuries as India won the two-match series 1-0. He was also named Player of the Series.Batting at No. 3 in the absence of Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal impressed with his solid technique and ability to score quickly.
‘I was really looking forward to it’
Padikkal said he was excited when he learned that he would play in the series. He also felt he was batting at the best stage of his career.“Definitely, I was looking forward to it. Obviously, those opportunities don’t come very easily. It takes a lot of hard work to make sure that you are continuing to improve yourself and waiting for that opportunity. I had to make sure that I was ready whenever I got it.“The fact that I was told at the start of the series that I was going to be playing was really exciting, and I felt like, personally, I was at the best stage of my career in terms of the way I was batting, so I was really looking forward to it,” Padikkal told JioStar.
No pressure over No. 3 comparisons
Padikkal has taken over the important No. 3 position, a spot previously occupied by India greats such as Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.However, the batter said he does not want to worry about comparisons with the legends who played the position before him.“At the end of the day, it’s about going out there and batting. It doesn’t matter what position I’m batting at, I’m trying to contribute to the side.“Yes, obviously, there have been great players who have played at number three for India over the years, and I’m sure there’ll be a lot more scrutiny on me and a lot more comparisons made. But at the end of the day, I’m going out there and just playing my cricket, and as long as I’m enjoying that, I think everything will fall into place,” he said.
Dravid’s advice helped Padikkal
Padikkal also spoke about his conversations with former India head coach Rahul Dravid. He said Dravid helped him understand what it takes to bat for long periods in Test cricket.“Obviously, I’ve had a lot of conversations with him over the years in terms of batting and what it takes to really spend long hours out there.“Again, it comes back to preparation and understanding what you want to do. As long as you have that clarity in your head about what your plans are and what you want to go out there and do, regardless of the position you’re batting at, it helps a lot. I think those are the conversations I’ve had with him.”
‘Nothing is taken for granted’
With India set for a busy Test schedule, including a tour of New Zealand and a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia early next year, Padikkal knows that he cannot take his place for granted.He said scoring runs regularly and helping India win matches will remain his main focus.“As long as I’m scoring runs, I think it always benefits the side. Test cricket is not the easiest format, as we all know, so you have to keep performing day in and day out. You get limited opportunities these days, and it’s not very easy to cement a place in a side.“Nothing is taken for granted. For me, personally, I just want to keep scoring runs and keep contributing to wins for the Indian Test side. As long as I’m doing that, I’m sure I’ll have my place.”
