Devdutt Padikkal credits Virat Kohli after scoring 199 runs against New Zealand A

Devdutt Padikkal’s 199 in New Zealand Strengthens His Case for India’s Test No. 3

Devdutt Padikkal has made a timely statement in the race for a regular place in India’s Test batting order. The left-hander came within one run of a double century for India A against New Zealand A in Lincoln, producing a substantial innings in challenging overseas conditions just as selectors prepare to assess India’s options for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand.

Padikkal’s 199 is more than an impressive scorecard entry. It offers evidence that he can adapt beyond familiar home conditions and build an innings against a red ball on a demanding tour. With India seeking dependable options at No. 3, his performance could prompt fresh consideration—though one innings alone is unlikely to settle the selection debate.

A response after a difficult stretch

The New Zealand A assignment arrived after Padikkal had endured disappointing outings against Australia A at home. Those performances raised questions about his current form and how well his technique would translate against different conditions. His response in Lincoln was emphatic: he stayed at the crease, managed the demands of a long innings and carried his score to the brink of a double hundred.

Batting in New Zealand can test even experienced players. The conditions may offer movement and bounce, while unfamiliar pitches can require patience and careful judgement outside off stump. Padikkal’s ability to make 199 in that environment gives his innings added significance, particularly for a batter hoping to establish himself in the middle order.

For India, the No. 3 position is especially important. The player in that role often has to come in early if an opener falls quickly, then help rebuild the innings while still keeping the scoreboard moving. Padikkal’s long stay at the crease in Lincoln showed the kind of concentration and resilience that the role demands. His score also strengthens his prediction as a potential contender for the Test squad, although the final decision will depend on team balance, recent performances and the selectors’ plans.

Padikkal credits Virat Kohli’s example

Padikkal has pointed to Virat Kohli as an important influence on his understanding of red-ball cricket. The two shared a dressing room at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where Padikkal had the opportunity to observe one of India’s most accomplished batters at close quarters.

Rather than describing Kohli’s influence as a single piece of advice, Padikkal has emphasised what he learned by watching him. Kohli’s approach to multi-day cricket—for India and in domestic competition—has demonstrated the preparation, discipline and consistency required to succeed in the longest format.

“You do not necessarily have to ask him what it takes to succeed in red-ball cricket. He has shown all of us what it takes through the way he played, and that is something I have learnt from,” Padikkal said.

The comment reflects how experience within a team environment can shape a developing player. Observing how a senior batter prepares, handles difficult spells and maintains focus across a long innings can offer lessons that are hard to capture in a coaching session. Padikkal’s recent performances suggest he has been working to apply those lessons, though his progress is also the result of his own preparation and adjustments.

From a challenging period to renewed momentum

Padikkal’s rise has not been entirely straightforward. A few years ago, he was working through a difficult phase and was not a guaranteed choice even in domestic cricket. His talent was widely recognised, but he needed to make technical and mental adjustments and rebuild confidence through consistent performances.

Much of that work took place away from the spotlight. His recent form has brought greater attention, but his development has been shaped by the less visible tasks: refining his batting, finding rhythm and making the most of opportunities. That background gives his near-double century in Lincoln a wider context. It was not simply a big score; it was a strong response at a point when he needed to show that he could deliver against quality opposition away from home.

His progress has also coincided with a more assertive phase in white-ball cricket. Padikkal played important roles for RCB during the IPL seasons described in the source, including the franchise’s title-winning campaign and its subsequent successful defence. Increased confidence in limited-overs cricket may have helped him approach the crease with greater intent, while the challenge now is to carry that confidence into the slower, more demanding rhythm of Test cricket.

What his Test record says

Padikkal has played four Tests for India, scoring 418 runs in six innings at an average of 69.66. His record includes two centuries and a half-century, with both hundreds coming against Sri Lanka in Galle and Colombo. Those performances established that he can make a significant contribution at international level, while the Lincoln innings has added a valuable overseas data point to his record.

Numbers from a small sample should be viewed carefully. Four Tests are not enough to define a career, and performances in different countries can present very different challenges. Still, Padikkal’s average and his ability to convert starts into hundreds provide a persuasive foundation for his case. The key question is whether he can continue to produce runs consistently as opponents study his technique and target potential weaknesses.

His limited international experience extends to two T20 Internationals, both played in July 2021. Whether he returns to India’s limited-overs plans remains uncertain. Selection in those formats depends on the team’s combinations, the crowded competition for batting positions and the demands of the international calendar. For now, his strongest argument appears to be in the longer format, where his recent innings and existing Test record align most clearly.

Selection remains open ahead of the New Zealand Tests

Padikkal’s 199 has given the selectors a compelling reason to take notice, but it does not guarantee a place in the XI. India will weigh his form against the experience and suitability of other candidates, as well as the balance required for conditions in New Zealand. The team may also consider whether a left-handed batter adds variety to the order and how best to structure the middle positions.

The upcoming series could therefore become an important test of both Padikkal’s readiness and India’s depth. If selected, he would have a chance to show that his New Zealand A performance can be translated against the senior side. If he is not picked immediately, the innings still strengthens his standing and gives him a clear platform for future opportunities.

For Padikkal, the next step is consistency: turning a standout performance into a sustained run of contributions. His near-double century has revived the conversation around India’s No. 3 spot and highlighted the value of learning from senior players such as Kohli. Whether he becomes a permanent fixture will depend on what follows, but his latest innings has made one thing clear: he is once again firmly in contention.