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Delhi: There is not just one batting order at number 3 in Indian Test cricket. This is the place where the batsman has to be ready to face the new ball. If the openers are out early then the innings has to be managed and if the start is good then the foundation of a big score has to be laid. Cheteshwar Pujara fulfilled this responsibility so well for many years that after his departure this place became a puzzle for India. However, now it seems that Team India's search is over. By scoring two centuries in two Test matches on the Sri Lanka tour, Devdutt Padikkal has presented a strong claim for number three.

The number 3 spot remained vacant after Pujara's departure.

Pujara's last Test came in June 2023. After this, the Indian team gave a chance to many players at number-3, but no one could make this place theirs for a long time. Shubman Gill batted at number 3 in most of the 16 tests and scored 972 runs. He also had three centuries to his name. After this Sai Sudarshan got a chance. He scored 383 runs at number-3 in seven tests, but could not score a century.

Apart from this, Karun Nair, Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul and Padikkal himself were also tried at this place. However, at that time Padikkal got a chance to play only in two innings, then he was dropped from the team. This means that even after almost three years of Pujara's departure, India was looking for a batsman who could provide confidence in this place for a long time.

Padikkal's chance came again

In the absence of Sudarshan during the Sri Lanka tour, Padikkal got a chance at number-3. Even before the start of the Test series, he had shown his preparation by scoring a century in the practice match. When the real test came in Galle, the left-handed batsman passed it brilliantly.

He scored 167 runs in the first innings and impressed everyone with his batting. He was also chosen Player of the Match for this innings. Captain Gill also especially praised his innings. But perhaps the bigger thing was that the young batsman did not limit his innings to just fast starts. He took his time, read the ball and punished bad balls. After the inning of 167 runs in the first test, the question was whether Padikkal would be able to repeat it. In the second test he answered this with the bat.

The Indian team was in a difficult situation in Colombo and after the fall of the initial wicket, Khabbu the batsman took over the innings by coming in at number three. He made an important partnership with Gill and completed his second consecutive Test century by scoring 117 runs. Padikkal was chosen Player of the Series for his excellent performance. This left-handed batsman has so far played five innings at number three in Test cricket. During this period, his average has been 70.60 and he has scored 353 runs. Team India will expect similar performance in future also.

What is it about Padikkal that makes him special?

The first thing is his patience. A player batting at number 3 does not need to play a big shot on every ball. He has to bat according to the situation. Padikkal did the same in Sri Lanka. The second specialty is his game against spin. It is not easy to face spinners in Sri Lankan conditions, but the young batsman showed confidence against spin. His backfoot batting and ability to play the ball late also impressed. The third and most important thing is the ability to play big innings. Scoring a century is a good performance, but scoring two centuries in two consecutive Tests shows that the batsman has the confidence and mental strength to play long innings.

Can Padikkal become the next number-3?

It is too early to say that India has found its next Pujara. Pujara scored runs continuously at this position for years and gave stability to Indian Test cricket. Padikkal still has a long way to go.

But it can definitely be said that he has forced himself to give himself a chance. India now not only has an option for number-3, but also a batsman who has strengthened his claim by playing big innings continuously in difficult conditions.