Kaif Praises Paddikal’s Impact Ahead of Second Test in Colombo

New Delhi, 22 August – As the second and concluding Test between India and Sri Lanka unfolds in Colombo, all eyes are on the middle order after India secured a 1-0 lead with a comprehensive victory in the opening match.

Left‑handed batsman Devdatt Paddikal, positioned at number three, delivered a career‑defining 167‑run knock in the first Test, guiding India to a 165‑run win and claiming the Player of the Match award. He added a steady 44 in the second innings, reinforcing his importance to the side.

Cricket pundit and former Indian opener Mohammad Kaif, addressing his audience on a video platform, emphasized that Paddikal’s performance has solidified his claim for the No.3 slot. Kaif compared Paddikal’s 160‑plus score with Sai Sudharsan’s intermittent half‑centuries, stating that a player who can produce a massive innings and earn a man‑of‑the‑match award carries more weight for the team’s aspirations.

Kaif remarked that India’s pursuit of World Test Championship points under Shubman Gill’s captaincy hinges on a dependable No.3 who can regularly contribute fifty runs and deliver match‑changing performances. In Kaif’s view, Paddikal’s claim to the role has been reinforced beyond doubt.

With veteran Cheteshwar Pujara stepping away from Test cricket, India’s selectors are on the lookout for a suitable replacement at the third‑order position. Both Sudharsan and Paddikal are leading the race, and Paddikal’s showing in Colombo will be a decisive factor for his future in the national side.