IND vs ENG 5th Test: Devdutt Padikkal Makes Test Debut For India As Ankle Injury Rules Out Rajat Patidar

Devdutt Padikkal takes the place of Rajat Patidar in the middle order, who faced discomfort in the morning following an injury sustained during the training session on the eve of IND vs ENG 5th Test.

Devdutt Padikkal of India in action during a net practice session ahead of the 3rd Test Match against England at SCA Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat.

The fifth and final Test match of the ongoing India vs England series is taking place at Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium from March 7 (Thursday). India have already won the series and are leading by 3-1 despite facing a defeat in the series opener in Hyderabad. In an unexpected twist, Devdutt Padikkalhas made his Test debut for India, having been included in the playing XI due to an injury ruling out Rajat Patidar on the eve of the 5th IND vs ENG Test. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to their social media handle of X (formerly Twitter) to announce that Patidar sustained an injury to his left ankle during a practice session on March 6 (Wednesday) and experienced discomfort on Thursday morning.

“UPDATE: Rajat Patidar got hit on his left ankle during Team India's practice session on 6th March, 2024. He pulled up sore on the morning of the game and was not available for selection for the 5th Test,” posted the BCCI just ahead of the 5th IND vs ENG Test in Dharamsala.

UPDATE: Rajat Patidar got hit on his left ankle during Team India's practice session on 6th March, 2024. He pulled up sore on the morning of the game and was not available for selection for the 5th Test.#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2024

Paddikal's Success In The Domestic Circuit

The Karnataka batsman has enjoyed a remarkable domestic season, amassing a significant number of runs in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy and the subsequent Ranji Trophy. This impressive performance has earned him a place in the India A side.

In his career spanning 31 First-Class matches thus far, the 23-year-old has amassed 2227 runs at an impressive average of 44.54, featuring six centuries and 12 half-centuries. The players who marked their Test debuts in the ongoing series include Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep and Devdutt Padikkal.

Coming to the ongoing IND vs ENG 5th Test match, Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first on what could be a very batting-friendly wicket in Dharamsala.

Playing 11s For IND vs ENG 5th Test, Dharamsala

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes(c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes(w), Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, James Anderson