Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed Devdutt Padikkal to replace Virat Kohli in the first two Test matches against England. Kohli, on Monday, decided to opt out of the first two games due to personal reasons.
Meanwhile, Padikkal has been in prime form in the Ranji Trophy while playing for Karnataka. The left-hander has scored 369 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 92.25.
The southpaw has amassed 1849 runs in 28 first-class matches at an average of 41.08. The flamboyant batter has also impressed in the IPL, scoring 1521 runs in 57 matches.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Let me put a left-hander – Devdutt Padikkal. I say he is Indian cricket’s future but he can become the present now because he is batting extremely well. He missed a double century recently. He is batting at a different level. He is scoring runs wherever he is playing.”
“He is a special player, plays spin and pace well, and has a good temperament. He is a three-format player. He did not have a good one to one-and-a-half years before the last IPL. After IPL 2023, there is no place where he hasn’t scored runs. So why not Devdutt Padikkal?,” the former India opener added.
On the other hand, the reputed commentator suggested Rajat Patidar as another potential replacement for Virat Kohli. Patidar has amassed 4000 runs at an impressive average of 45.97 in 55 first-class games.
“Rajat Patidar’s performances have been amazing. Of course, he missed an IPL in between because of injury, but after that, since he has returned, he has scored runs. He played well against the England Lions also recently.”
“A lot of people have seen him only in the IPL, so they see from the IPL angle, but they should see apart from the IPL as well. The guy plays in first-class cricket style. So Rajat Patidar is one name that comes to my mind, who is a middle-order batter and could be selected here.”
India and England will take on each other in the first Test match from 25th January onwards at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
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