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Star Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal knows the weight of wearing India’s No. 3 jersey. With legends like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara having owned that spot, he admits more eyes and comparisons will follow. But instead of buckling, he’s embracing the challenge.

A foot injury to regular No. 3 Sai Sudharsan opened the door for Padikkal in Sri Lanka, and he grabbed it with both hands, smashing 328 runs across three innings. Had Sudharsan been fit, that chance might never have come, especially since Padikkal’s last Test was back in November 2024.

“There’ll be a lot more scrutiny, but I’m just going out to enjoy my cricket,” Padikkal told JioStar. “If I enjoy it, everything falls into place.”

With that run spree, he’s nearly sealed the spot, but with the New Zealand tour next, will the management stick with him or bring Sudharsan back? Padikkal isn’t overthinking. “Opportunities are rare. I just want to keep scoring and helping India win. Test cricket demands daily performance, and that’s my only focus.”