'Embrace That Fight': Devdutt Padikkal's Karnataka Teammate Issues Pep Talk For Young India Batter

As uncertainty over Team India star Shubman Gill looms, Devdutt Padikkal has been called up to the India squad as they gear up for the Australia challenge while Down Under. The Karnataka batter scored 88 runs in the first unofficial test match, which earned him the call-up for India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. One of Padikkal's senior teammates in the Karnataka team has offered some essential guidance to him.  

Devdutt Padikkal Needs To Embrace The Challenge, Suggests His Karnataka Teammate

As Devdutt Padikkal gears up for the BGT challenge, his senior Karnataka teammate Mayank Agarawal has offered some key advice to the Indian batter. Agarawal was in a similar situation in the 2018-19 series when he was called up for the Melbourne Test, and he said that Padikkal needs to embrace the challenge at hand if he gets a chance to go up against Australia in the Perth Test.

“They (Indian players) have had time to prepare. The good thing was (that) a lot of the guys went and played India A games.

“They have had at least three weeks to prepare themselves for the conditions. But it then now boils down to the mindset — are you willing to get into the fight? Or are you willing to embrace that fight? If he can get into that mindset — which he has; he has got a lot of skill, a lot of flair (and he) works hard on his game,” Mayank Agarawal said to PTI.

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At first, Devdutt Padikkal was left out of India's 18-man Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad. However, after the A team's unofficial Tests in Australia, he was asked to stay back after Shubman Gill was hit in the left hand prior to the start of the series.

While fielding at the slip, Shubman Gill hurt his hand, which is thought to be a fracture. Padikkal is expected to play for the second time in the format if he stays out of the Perth Test. The young Indian batter made his debut against England in March. The India batter is being monitored and bowling coach Morne Morkel assured that a call will be made in the morning of the test match. It is yet to be seen what happens tomorrow.     

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[With PTI Inputs]