Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin has praised Royal Challengers Bangalore. Devdutt Padikal And after the team's win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur, his name has been recommended for the No. 3 spot in India's Test team.
Padikkal came to IPL on the basis of excellent performance in the domestic circuit. With 725 runs at an average of 90.62, he was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He continued this form in the later stages of the Ranji Trophy and made the final against Karnataka, scoring 543 runs at an average of 60.33. This also included a mammoth score of 232 runs while batting at number 3 against Uttarakhand in the semi-finals.
Ashwin has said that he wants to see Padikkal in the Test team for a long time based on his performance in the longer formats in the domestic game and IPL. He talked about the southpaw's vast improvement in his technique and game against the spinners, improving his footwork and game under the tutelage of RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik.
“I want Devdutt Padikkal to become India's No. 3 player in Test cricket. He has batted very well and deserves to be a current Test player for India. He should be given a long-term opportunity,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.
He said, “If you look at his sixes, it's all about timing. When I watch his batting, I think he has the impression of Dinesh Karthik. He is very active against the spinners. He was with me in RR, and at that time, he used to play spinners on the backfoot. Now, he plays reverse sweep and sweep. He has the use of the feet as well.”
Padikkal has made two appearances for the Indian team in Test cricket. He made his debut in the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala in early 2024 and played a brilliant inning of 65, helping India win by an innings. His next appearance came against Australia in Perth in November of the same year, where, batting at number 3, he made scores of 0 and 25.
The former off-spinner expressed his views about the players' form in the IPL, which he credited to Sai Sudarshan as the reason behind preferring Padikkal at No. 3. Notably, Sudarshan won the Orange Cap in the 2025 IPL, and Ashwin believed that IPL form helps him easily break into the Indian team.
“Padikkal was the frontrunner for the Test cricket team, but Sai Sudarshan overtook him. Sudarshan is also a good player, but he batted ahead of Padikkal. How did he get this opportunity? Because he was the orange cap holder in the IPL. Whether it is right or wrong, if you perform in first-class cricket as well as in the IPL, your selection becomes easier. But I am happy, Padikkal's talent and potential are coming to the fore this season,” Ashwin concluded.
Padikkal has been in great form for the defending champions in the 2026 IPL season, scoring 367 runs at a strike rate of 172.30. He has three half-centuries to his name, including a brilliant 61 off just 26 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the season.
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