CRICKET | Pujara punts on Padikkal to do well at the No. 3 spot in Tests

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India's Devdutt Padikkal during a practice session ahead of the second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka, in Galle, Sri Lanka, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara backed Devdutt Padikkal at the crucial number three spot in Test cricket, but added that his long-term prospects depend on tougher challenges that lie ahead.

Padikkal’s red-ball stature took an upturn after the southpaw struck a fine 167 in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

“Devdutt has been outstanding. He got the opportunity because unfortunately Sai (Sudharsan) was not fit,” Pujara said during a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Saturday.

The runs keep flowing in Galle from Devdutt Padikkal's bat ✨ 1⃣5⃣0⃣ comes up for the left-handed batter 👏👏 Updates ▶️ https://t.co/M9LVyCAp8y #TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/sF7bk3USgI

“But Devdutt was ready — the way he has been performing in domestic circuit and IPL, we have seen that he has worked on his game, he has improved his technique.”

Pujara added that Sudharsan should be accommodated in the team when fit. “India should go ahead with Devdutt at number three for some time, but you cannot leave someone like Sudarshan out of India’s Test squad. I am not saying that he should be batting at three, but he should be there in the scheme of things,” he said.

The real test for Padikkal will come when India faces New Zealand (away) and Australia (in India) in the next six months. “If Devdutt performs consistently in both those series, then he will cement his spot,” Pujara said.

Galle ✅ All set for the 2nd #SLvIND Test in Colombo! 🏟️ #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/dBi6NHcAbs

The 38-year-old called on the team management to rally behind spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was not among the wickets at Galle.

“I hope the team management and captain show a little more faith on him. If you are a third spinner, you are bound to have moments where you are not picking up wickets because you are not getting too many overs,” he said.

(Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 2nd Test Day 1 on August 23, 2026, from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and Sony LIV).

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