‘I think they will go for…’ – Former Aussie star backs Karnataka batter to get place in 3rd Test vs England

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg feels that Devdutt Padikkal will get the chance over Sarfaraz Khan in the third Test match, which is slated to take place on February 15 in Rajkot. Notably, both stars had their maiden call-up after their magnificent performances in first-class cricket.

However, the former Aussie star feels that the Karnataka batter is much ahead of Sarfaraz Khan to get a place in the Test squad. The 53-year-old cricketer feels that Devdutt Padikkal possesses some unique qualities, which may attract head coach Rahul Dravid to help him get a place in India’s starting line-up for the third Test match.

“I think they will go for Padikkal (over Sarfaraz). He scored a fine hundred against Tamil Nadu the other day. It was a brilliant innings. Coach Rahul Dravid is a big one (admirer) for top-order batters. You need to be able to bat in more than one position and that’s what Padikkal does,” Brad Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

I love what Devdutt Padikkal got to offer with a left-hander in that line-up: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg feels that Sarfaraz Khan didn’t have a great IPL as well, but he may get the chance to be in the squad. Moreover, the legendary cricketer feels that Devdutt Padikkal added a left-handed option in the squad, who can bat from top order to lower order. The former all-rounder feels that England are playing more aggressively as compared to India.

“We have seen Sarfaraz Khan have a bit of trouble with pace in the IPL. But if he has been working on it, Rahul Dravid has been having him in the nets facing Bumrah and handling him well then I would go with Sarfaraz Khan. But what I have seen outside of the little bubble, I will go with Padikkal. I know I have been harsh on Sarfaraz Khan there, but I love what Padikkal got to offer with a left-hander in that line-up. Looking at the stats, the false-shot percentage is better for England than India and England are playing a more aggressive game,” he added further.