Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has publicly suggested that Devdutt Padikkal is a stronger candidate for the crucial No. 3 batting slot than Sai Sudharsan, calling Padikkal “such a formidable player.” The debate highlights selection dilemmas for India as it balances young talent from the Indian Premier League with squad needs across formats and a busy international calendar.
Why the No. 3 spot matters
The No. 3 batting position is widely regarded as one of the most important in limited-overs and Test cricket alike. A No. 3 batter is often required to stabilise the innings after an early wicket, rotate the strike, accelerate when needed and build partnerships — responsibilities that demand technical solidity and temperament. For India, securing a long-term solution at No. 3 has been a recurring conversation as senior players have shifted roles or retired.
Manjrekar’s comment is significant because he is a former Test player and a national commentator whose views are frequently sought during India’s IPL and international fixtures. His preference for Padikkal thus feeds into a larger public discussion among fans, analysts and selectors over whether the team should prioritise players who have shown IPL form or those who have already broken into the international side.
Padikkal and Sudharsan: contrasting profiles
Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are both young left-handed batters who have featured prominently in Indian domestic cricket and the IPL. They are often compared because both can bat in the top order and have impressed with stroke-making against quality bowling, but their pathways and current international experience differ.
Padikkal made a name for himself in domestic tournaments and the IPL, where his technique and shot selection drew attention early in his career. Commentators have pointed to his compact backlift and ability to play risk-free cricket under pressure as strengths that could suit the No. 3 role. Padikkal has been part of India’s wider training groups and age-group sides, though his senior international opportunities have been intermittent.
Sai Sudharsan has recently been in national discussion after earning selection for India in limited-overs fixtures. He has shown a propensity for improvisation and a higher strike rate in shorter formats, attracting interest as a modern white-ball batter. Sudharsan’s recent international debut has given him momentum and a growing case for inclusion based on current form.
Neither Padikkal nor Sudharsan is the established, long-term No. 3 for India; any move would be contingent on selectors’ plans, team balance and performance in upcoming matches. Selection committees consider recent form, technique, match-ups against specific opponents and the demands of tours, meaning public endorsements from former players are advisory rather than determinative.
Context: IPL performances and the international calendar
The Indian Premier League is both a talent incubator and a platform for national selection. Performances in the IPL often accelerate a player’s route to the international side, especially in white-ball formats. Both Padikkal and Sudharsan have used the IPL to build profiles, and their form there influences public and expert opinion.
India’s international schedule over the next months includes bilateral series and preparation windows for ICC events. Selectors must decide whether to prioritise continuity or experimentation, and where to place promising youngsters in the order. The choice between Padikkal and Sudharsan is therefore not merely a matter of headline preference; it fits into decisions about overseas tours, spin-friendly or pace-friendly conditions, and squad roles across formats.
For overseas followers, India’s middle-order composition matters beyond national pride. Indian batting lineups shape the dynamic of global tournaments, affect broadcast viewership and influence fantasy cricket markets and betting odds. International teams preparing to tour India, broadcasters selling rights and global sponsors all watch these selection debates closely.
What comes next
Any shift to install Padikkal at No. 3 would require evidence from match situations — domestic fixtures, IPL games or India A tours — that he can handle high-pressure responsibilities consistently. Sudharsan’s immediate international exposure gives him a practical advantage: selectors can monitor his adaptation to international bowling and conditions in real time.
At present, Manjrekar’s opinion adds to an ongoing conversation rather than confirming a selection move. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selection committee have not announced a definitive replacement for the No. 3 slot; any final decision will be communicated through official channels ahead of squad announcements.
For followers outside India, this debate is a window into how India manages its talent pipeline and prepares for major fixtures. The eventual choice — whether Padikkal, Sudharsan or another player — will influence team strategy and the competitive landscape in upcoming series and tournaments.
This article was produced with AI assistance and checked before publication. Editorial policy
