Devdutt Padikkal to stay back in Australia for IND vs AUS Tests, Shami’s departure may be delayed: Report

Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal is all set to stay back in Australia while the rest of India A will return to India. It looks like the team management intends to give Padikkal an opportunity in the IND vs AUS Test series, especially in the 1st Test. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set to miss the opening game at Perth, India are on the hunt for finding their replacements.

Devdutt Padikkal to stay back in Australia for IND vs AUS Tests

As per Cricbuzz, Devdutt Padikkal has been asked to stay back in Australia. The report states that the team management arrived at the decision after consulting the selectors. Padikkal is expected to serve as a back-up option for India for the IND vs AUS Test series. The Karnataka batter was a part of India A’s squad that toured Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Padikkal registered scores of 36, 88, 26, and 1 in his four innings against Australia A. He made his Test debut earlier this year in the series against England. The report states that Padikkal’s experience of playing in Australian conditions has strengthened the case for the batter to be retained as a back-up option despite his poor performances in India A’s matches.

Shami’s departure delayed?

Meanwhile, the report states that the team management is in no rush to fly Mohammed Shami to Australia. The veteran made his return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy after being on the sidelines for a year due to an ankle injury. As per the report, the selectors want Shami to play few more domestic games before he could board a flight to Australia. He is expected to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which is scheduled to begin later this month.

Shami made his return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy match against MP. He picked up 4 wickets on his comeback, making his intentions very clear about rejoining the Indian Test side in Down Under.