Sanjay Manjrekar says India should retain Devdutt Padikkal in the No. 3 batting position even after Sai Sudharsan returns to the team. Manjrekar’s view comes after Padikkal plays a key role for India on the opening day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka.
Padikkal is included in India’s playing XI after Sudharsan is ruled out of the series because of a foot injury. During the opening day, he anchors India’s innings, prompting Manjrekar to argue for keeping the same batting order. The reports frame his recommendation as a response to Padikkal’s performance rather than a change driven by tactics or matchups.
Across the two sources, the emphasis stays consistent: the change in availability due to Sudharsan’s injury leads to Padikkal’s selection, and Manjrekar urges India not to move Padikkal away from No. 3 once Sudharsan is fit. Both describe the decision as based on what Padikkal delivers in the current Test context.
