The BCCI and the Indian selectors are slowly turning their full focus back to Test cricket, and some big plans are already afoot for Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
After immense success in T20 cricket, where they won consecutive T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, the Indian cricket team management now looks to build a strong red-ball squad for the upcoming cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
According to the report of Times of India, in this new plan, domestic batting superstars like Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be given bigger roles. Padikkal, who is currently playing for RCB in the ongoing IPL 2026, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is leading CSK, are being seen as important options for the Test team.
Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad set for bigger roles in India’s Test plans
According to a source close to the BCCI, the selectors are focusing on building a strong batting line-up for Test cricket after a shocking decline in the team’s performance, especially in home conditions. India lost home series to New Zealand and South Africa in recent years.
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Devdutt Padikkal is being considered for the top-order role and could compete for the No. 3 spot with Sai Sudarshan, who failed to live up to expectations on the England tour.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been sensational for Maharashtra, is also seen as a good option for the middle-order, especially because he can play spin well in Indian conditions.
Dhruv Jurel ready to play as specialist batsman in Tests
Another player in the picture is young Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel. The Rajasthan Royals star has already emerged as a leader and multi-format player for India, but despite his remarkable wicket-keeping, he is likely to be used only as a batsman going forward in the Tests.
A BCCI source revealed that Jurel is being seen as a solid middle-order batsman in Tests, which is a clear indication that India will back Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper for the next WTC cycle, despite his form declining and losing a place in the white-ball teams.
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India will have to manage Jasprit Bumrah carefully for WTC
Meanwhile, apart from Ruturaj Gaikwad and RCB star, all eyes are also on Jasprit Bumrah. He is very important for India’s bowling, but his fitness is a matter of great concern. The selectors and team management want to manage Bumrah properly so that he remains fit for the entire Test season.
India have a busy schedule ahead, so the main target is to do well in the WTC and the plan is to use Bumrah carefully. He is likely to play most of the important Test matches, but may be rested from some other formats to avoid too much strain on his body.
“Efforts are being made to keep Bumrah fit to play all the Tests. He is expected to play four Tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The challenge will be to keep him fresh for the five Test matches at home against Australia. The selectors will have no objection to resting him for a few ODI series. He played T20 cricket after a gap of two years in the Asia Cup last September and still performed well,” a BCCI source said.