As the Indian cricket team gears up for their upcoming Test series in Perth, the spotlight tends to fall on established stars like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have received significant coverage in Australian newspapers in both Hindi and Punjabi.
But what about some of the more underrated players in the Indian squad? These lesser-known players often play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indian cricket. In this article, we explore four exciting newcomers who could be making their mark in the Test arena. Let’s take a closer look at Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, players who could feature prominently in the first Test in Perth.
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Get to Know the 4 Newcomers Who Could Be in Action in Perth for the BGT Test
Devdutt Padikkal
Padikkal, 24, is a tall left-handed batsman who represents Karnataka in domestic cricket. Though he wasn’t initially included in the squad, Shubman Gill’s thumb injury has created an opportunity for him. Padikkal made his Test debut against England in Dharamsala in March, where he scored 65 runs from No. 4 in India’s sole innings. Although he has not featured in another Test match yet, his extensive domestic experience stands out.
Having played 40 first-class matches, he has accumulated 2,677 runs at an average of 42.49. He has batted in various positions, from No. 1 to No. 6, with his most impressive performances coming at No. 3: 1,247 runs at an average of 51.95, including four of his six centuries. This makes him a strong contender to bat one-down for India if Gill is unavailable.
In September, Padikkal notched three half-centuries in as many Duleep Trophy matches, with his highest score being 92. However, in the other three innings, he was dismissed for single-digit scores. More recently, he was India A’s top scorer against Australia A, amassing 151 runs across four innings, with a composed 88 in the second innings at Mackay standing out as his best knock.
Padikkal dedicated ample time in the nets on Tuesday and Wednesday. He looked solid, particularly when stepping forward to play check-drives. During fielding drills, he was seen as part of the slip fielding unit.
Dhruv Jurel
Initially aspiring to join the army like his father, Jurel eventually found his passion for cricket. He first grabbed attention by scoring 249 for Uttar Pradesh against Nagaland in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. However, it was his role as a finisher for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023 that brought him into the national spotlight. Earlier this year, in just his second Test match, he scored 90 and an unbeaten 39 against England in Ranchi, earning the Player-of-the-Match award. To date, he has played 21 first-class matches, accumulating 1,223 runs at an impressive average of 48.92.
In his only Duleep Trophy appearance, Jurel scored 2 and 0 but impressed behind the stumps, taking eight catches across two innings. He then made 93 runs against Mumbai in the Irani Cup. However, it was his performance against Australia A that propelled him into the spotlight. During the second unofficial Test in Melbourne, he looked the most consistent batter, scoring 80 and 68. Initially seen as a backup for Rishabh Pant, he is now being considered as a specialist batter in the lower middle order, ahead of Sarfaraz Khan.
Similar to Padikkal, Jurel practiced with the first group of batters on Tuesday, and was stationed in either slips or at gully during fielding drills. On Wednesday, he spent a considerable amount of time batting, focusing on playing close to the body and neutralizing the threat of back-of-a-length deliveries.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
At just 21, Reddy is the youngest player in India’s squad. A seam-bowling all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh, he made his first-class debut in the 2019-20 season, though his stats in the format don’t inspire much confidence. After 23 matches, he has scored 779 runs at an average of 21.05 and taken 56 wickets at 26.98. He earned a spot in the squad due to his potential and strong T20 performances.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, he scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92 and claimed three wickets. This led to his T20I debut for India in October. In his second T20I, he delivered a match-winning performance, scoring 74 off 34 balls and taking 2 for 23. The question remains—can he replicate that success in red-ball cricket?
His recent performances have not been promising. In three of the four innings against Australia A, he was dismissed after being bounced out. With the ball, he managed only one wicket from 31 overs. Despite this, the team management continues to back him. On Wednesday, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, mentioned that Reddy’s wicket-to-wicket bowling could make him a valuable fourth seamer, capable of holding one end.
Reddy bowled extensively on Tuesday, which could be crucial if he is given a chance to debut during the tour. On Wednesday, he showcased a brilliant ramp shot, which caught the eye of those watching.
Harshit Rana
Rana, who will turn 23 next month, is another seam-bowling allrounder in the Indian squad. While Reddy’s strength lies in batting, Rana’s specialty is his fast bowling. He can bowl with pace, hit the deck hard, and has the ability to vary his speed. His IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, recognized his talent even before his domestic side, Delhi, did. He was the joint-fourth-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 and played a pivotal role in KKR’s title win.
In 10 first-class matches, he has taken 43 wickets at an average of 24.00 and scored 469 runs at 42.63. He has also notched a century in the format, scoring an unbeaten 122 off just 86 balls, including nine sixes—though it came against a weaker North-East Zone side.
Rana impressed in the Duleep Trophy, taking two four-wicket hauls in as many matches. He then followed it up with a fifty and a five-wicket haul against Assam in the Ranji Trophy. Although he was not part of the red-ball series against Australia A, he has stated that his playing attitude is “similar to Australia’s.”
While Rana didn’t bowl much on Tuesday, he was more involved on Wednesday. It’s clear why India has included him in the squad—he puts significant effort into every delivery, and on a responsive pitch, he is likely to see a good return from his pace.
Read More: Why India vs Australia is Test Cricket’s Premier Rivalry: The Rivalry that Defines Modern Cricket
FAQs
Who is Devdutt Padikkal and what is his recent form?
Devdutt Padikkal, a left-handed batter from Karnataka, has been in decent form, scoring three half-centuries in the Duleep Trophy and impressing with 151 runs for India A against Australia A.
How did Dhruv Jurel rise to prominence?
Dhruv Jurel made his mark with a stellar IPL 2023, followed by strong performances for India A and a standout Test match debut where he bagged the Player-of-the-Match award.
What is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role in the Indian squad?
Nitish Kumar Reddy is a seam-bowling allrounder who impressed in the IPL 2024 with his batting, leading to his T20I debut for India, though his first-class form remains a work in progress.
What are Harshit Rana’s recent performances?
Harshit Rana impressed with two four-wicket hauls in the Duleep Trophy and a fifty with a five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing his pace and allround capabilities.
