Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has backed both Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal to be in the playing XI for the Test series against New Zealand. In the absence of Sudharsan, Padikkal was able to grab his opportunity with both hands.

The Karnataka batter returned with scores of 167 and 44 runs in the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Galle and was awarded Player of the Match. Ashwin backed Padikkal to be India’s number three on the New Zealand tour but doesn’t want the management to drop Sai Sudharsan.

“When we played the practice games at the WACA (before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), Padikkal looked really, really comfortable. I feel like he is a batter who has a lot of time to play against pacers. Now, if he scores runs in the second Test, I think he will have to be the No.3 in New Zealand. It’s very difficult to keep him out. As of now, both of them can find a place in the playing XI, but I think if Sudharsan comes back, they will have to give the chance to Padikkal because of the way he has batted,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin said Padikkal has the same temperament as former Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and backed the former to be a long-term slip fielder for India.

“The way Devdutt batted, especially on the back foot, and the way he used his feet and shuffled from back to front, was really good. He showed why there is value in spending time in the first-class system. He shaped up his skills there, and he exhibited those here in the Test. He is also a good slip fielder, I hope he gets to field at slip even for spinners. He can be a long-term solution in the slip cordon for spinners. He also has the temperament of Ajinkya Rahane. So, I really hope Devdutt goes from strength to strength because he is a damn good player,” R Ashwin said.

The second Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Colombo from Sunday onwards.