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'Physical Trauma' - 100th Test Man Ashwin Shares Special Speech For Debutant Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal with his debut Test cap on Day 1 of 5th Test (BCCI)Devdutt Padikkal with his debut Test cap on Day 1 of 5th Test (BCCI)

Karnataka batting star Devdutt Padikkal received his maiden Test call-up ahead of India’s fifth and final match of the series against England at Dharamshala’s scenic HPCA Stadium. 

The 23-year-old was presented his first-ever Test cap from none other than milestone man Ravichandran Ashwin.

Remarkably, Ashwin himself is celebrating the occasion, considering the match marked the 100th Test appearance for the legendary Indian off-spinner.


Devdutt Padikkal receives debut cap from Ashwin

Devdutt Padikkal, who averages a staggering 81.52 in first-class cricket, made his Test debut for Team India through their final match of the 2024 home series against England.

Prior to the landmark standoff between the two teams, senior Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin delivered the customary speech for the debuting youngster, and also handed the latter his maiden Test cap.

Young Padikkal, overjoyed by the proceedings, said that he was not expecting to find himself in the Indian playing XI, and claimed that he himself received the news in the morning.

“Feels incredible. I wasn’t expecting it to be honest. Got the news this morning, so really excited for it, and looking forward to the game," Ashwin said.

Devdutt Padikkal made his first-class debut with a match against Maharashtra back during the 2018 Ranji Trophy season in Mysore. 

So far in his competitive career, the prodigious batting talent has featured in 30 first-class matches and has tallied 1,875 runs at a splendid career average of 81.52.

While Padikkal was initially selected in the Indian squad for the Test series against England as a replacement for senior batter KL Rahul, he was only considered for playing XI selection for the final match after Rajat Patidar was ruled out owing to an untimely injury.