Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth expressed his disappointment as Sai Sudharsan missed out on the first India versus Sri Lanka Test at Galle after a toe injury. Sudharsan was replaced at No. 3 by southpaw Devdutt Paddikal, who scored a magnificent maiden ton, prompting Srikkanth to comment that Sai will find it difficult to return to the side now.
Via his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka (5:58), the former Indian opener said, “Now Sai Sudharsan is going to be in trouble. While he has done well at No.3, Padikkal has cemented that spot now. This is where Sai could ill afford to miss a game, citing injury. I won’t accept the excuses of too much cricket being played. You have to keep yourself fit. Now Padikkal can’t be dropped, and Sai will suffer because of this injury absence. For Sai to come back, it’s going to be that much more difficult.”
Paddikal had long been breathing down Sai Sudharsan’s neck for that coveted No. 3 position in Tests, and after Sudharsan’s injury right before the Sri Lanka tour, Devdutt Paddikal finally got the chance he had been waiting for all along. The boy from Bengaluru made most of his opportunity, racking up a magnificent tally of 167 runs off 230 balls.
Srikkanth’s High Praise for Paddikal
The former Indian opener was all praises for the southpaw, saying:
“What a comeback by Padikkal. His batting has such elegance. He hasn’t let go of his incredible form from domestic cricket to the IPL. His drives and cuts are superb, full of fluency. It also shows that those who shine at the domestic level are doing well for India as well. Now performances in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy will be taken up seriously. Just doing well in the IPL to play for India won’t happen.”
Srikkanth Slams Injury Excuse for All-Format Indian Players
Citing Virat Kohli’s fitness as an all-format player, Kris Srikkanth dismissed the dense schedules of such players as being a cause of their string of injuries. “Virat Kohli played all formats and never struggled for fitness,” said Srikkanth, notably as India go into these Tests without key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, etc. The Men in Blue also dealt with various injuries during their recent anticlimactic white-ball tour of England.
Coming back to the ongoing Test in Galle, India are at a dominant position, having batted throughout the first two days. The scorecard reads 460/9 in 116 overs, as India are supported on the back of Paddikal’s maiden Test ton. Sri Lanka are yet to bat.
Also Read: SL vs IND: Devdutt Padikkal’s Ton Dominates Sri Lanka