3 Runs In 3 Matches! Devdutt Padikkal Flops Again Vs Australia A

Devdutt Padikkal during training sessions (Source: AFP Photos)Devdutt Padikkal had the scores of 0, 1 and 2 in the India A vs Australia A ODIs. As someone who has built a reputation as a run machine across formats, Padikkal’s three straight failures raised many eyebrows.After an extraordinary tour in Sri Lanka as an individual, the BCCI rewarded Padikkal by appointing him as India A Test captain and India A ODI vice-captain for unofficial matches against Australia A.He also failed to live up to the lofty expectations in the Tests, with scores of 59, 3, 26, and 31. However, in the 50-over format, things went from bad to worse.Devdutt Padikkal Fails To Carry On The MomentumWith 328 runs in three innings in Sri Lanka, high-flying Padikkal was named Player of the Series after the India vs Sri Lanka Tests in August. He batted decently in Duleep Trophy final as well after that, having made 62 runs for South Zone.However, in India A vs Australia A unofficial ODIs, three different bowlers, Mahli Beardman, Spencer Johnson and Liam Scott, did not allow him to hit even a single boundary.It's important to note that India A, under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, have already lost the unofficial ODI series against Australia A, with a match to spare. In the Tests, Padikkal led them to win with a 1-0 scoreline. Their second Test ended in a draw after India A won the first Test by 162 runs.Padikkal To Return To Ranji Trophy SoonAs the India A vs Australia A multi-format series ends on October 11, Padikkal is expected to join the Karnataka squad for the Ranji Trophy 2026/27. There, he will prepare himself to strengthen his place in the India squad for New Zealand Tests, scheduled for next month.Karnataka, meanwhile, did not get off to a solid start in the Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra. Both openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, fell without troubling the scorers much. They are now 100/4, with captain Smaran Ravichandran and wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith rebuilding the innings.ALSO READNaseem Shah, Hasan Nawaz Humiliated At Pakistan Team Dinner: Report