Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sudharsan Leave Australia; Padikkal Stays With 3 Pacers For BGT

Devdutt Padikkal Stays With 3 Pacers For BGT (Source: @Gajananjoshi29/X)

The Indian team management has decided to keep top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal in Australia as a batting back-up along with three seamers from the India A squad. Devdutt was part of the India A squad that played two four-day matches against their Australian counterparts recently.

The left-hander, who was recently named in Karnataka's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, had lukewarm outings during the 'A' tour, making 36, 88, 26, 1. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan have departed for home from Australia.

The three pacers are: Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed and Navdeep Saini, who were all part of the India A squad.

Saini had also played at Sydney and Brisbane Tests during the last tour Down Under, till date his only two matches in the traditional format.

"It is more to do with the familiarity with the Australian conditions as they have played here recently," a source close to the development told PTI. Devdutt was highly impressive while facing Jasprit Bumrah at nets, and the management took that also into consideration."

The 24-year-old had made his Test debut against England earlier this year at Dharamsala and made a 65 while batting at No. 4.

[From PTI Inputs]

---

ALSO READ

Jasprit Bumrah To Captain India In Rohit Sharma's Absence In Perth; KL Rahul To Open

---