Former India player and selector Devang Gandhi has expressed concerns over the lack of depth in India’s red-ball batting resources amid a significant transition period. The Men in Blue are still in the process of finalizing their batting lineup following successful series wins against England and the West Indies. Although most positions seem settled, lingering questions remain, particularly around the crucial No. 3 spot.
The void at No. 3 emerged after Shubman Gill moved up to No. 4 following Virat Kohli’s retirement ahead of the England series. India experimented with Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan for the pivotal top-order position before opting to back Sudharsan as a long-term prospect. However, the left-handed batter is yet to truly make his mark on the international stage, having scored 273 runs in his first five Tests at an average of 30.33.
On the sidelines, other batting candidates like Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal await their opportunities. Gandhi highlighted the possibility of Dhruv Jurel featuring in the playing XI as a pure batter even after Rishabh Pant returns, especially since both Sudharsan and Padikkal have struggled to establish themselves.
“As of now, they should give Sudharsan a longer run because he is young. But all the selectors need to spread out and cover as many domestic games as possible. It’s clear that there is a dry pool of backup batters in the Test format. Sudharsan hasn’t cemented his place. Padikkal isn’t getting runs even for India A. Jurel has made a strong case, but there doesn’t seem to be a definite plan regarding his role. And there is no backup opener with Abhimanyu Easwaran inspiring little confidence. This domestic season and the one next year will be hard work for the selectors,” Gandhi told the Times of India.
Devdutt Padikkal was called up to the India squad over Karun Nair for the home series against the West Indies but did not get a chance to play, as the team chose Nitish Kumar Reddy in an unorthodox combination. Padikkal, a left-handed batter, has been active in red-ball cricket but remains inconsistent.
He made a strong impact for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy and scored a century against Australia A in September. However, his recent performances in the home series against South Africa A have been disappointing. Padikkal managed only 40 runs across two matches, recording double figures in just one innings.
Former wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta commented on how Team India might accommodate both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in the upcoming Test series against South Africa in 2025.
“It’s very low for a proper batter to come in,” Dasgupta remarked on the challenge of fitting both players in the team.
While Padikkal struggles for runs, Dhruv Jurel is enjoying a purple patch. The talented wicket-keeper has been scoring prolifically over recent months. After his maiden Test century during the home series against the West Indies, he continued his form for India A, registering twin centuries in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
Jurel’s consistency and technique have led many experts to advocate for his inclusion in the playing XI as a specialist batter. Deep Dasgupta sees merit in this suggestion but warns about the challenges it might pose in terms of team composition and batting order.
“At this moment, Jurel looks to have the best technique to bat at No. 3. But the team management has to be clear with its vision because No. 3 will be a big call. If Jurel is only seen as a wicketkeeping backup for Pant, then it will be a problem in the long run. It’s tough for a wicketkeeper to consistently keep wickets and bat at No. 3 in Tests. Or else, he can come in for Reddy at No. 7, even though it’s very low for a proper batter to come in,” Dasgupta told the Times of India.
The much-anticipated first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 14, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With several key decisions on batting positions looming, the coming domestic season will be critical for selectors as they seek to build a strong and stable red-ball batting lineup for India.
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