Devdutt Padikkal asked to stay back in Australia as Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma unlikely to play 1st BGT 2024-25 Test: Reports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly asked left-handed Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal to stay back in Australia amid availability issues for three top-order batters, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Padikkal was part of the India 'A' tour Down Under and the rest of his teammates will depart for home by Monday, November 18.

According to Cricbuzz, the decision to retain Padikkal has been taken by the team management in consultation with the national selectors. The report said the decision makers felt Padikkal's experience in Australia was key.

The 24-year-old left-hander scored 36, 88, 26 and 1 in four innings against Australia 'A'. He looked in decent form in the Duleep Trophy before coming to Australia, scoring three half-centuries in as many red-ball games. However, he recorded 16 twice in the Irani Cup and a Ranji Trophy game against Kerala.

India have been hit with a top-order crisis of sorts. Skipper and opener Rohit is unlikely to play in the Perth Test to stay with his family after his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, gave birth to their baby boy recently.

Gill, who bats at number three, is also likely to be ruled out due to a finger fracture he suffered while attempting a catch at slips during an intra-squad match-simulation. Then, Rahul also suffered a minor elbow issue and though he has started practising, there's no clarity on whether he'll be 100% fit come November 22, the day of the series opener.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's form complicates matters for India

India already took a backup opener to Australia in Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. However, after showing brilliant form in domestic games in India, he recorded scores of 7, 12, 0 and 17 against Australia 'A', further complicating the matters about reserves.

For now, it seems like India will need two new batters to come in. One of them could be Rahul but the other is more uncertain.