Devdutt Padikkal (Image credit: Agencies)
NEW DELHI: Devdutt Padikkal was left heartbroken after missing out on a double century by just one run on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.The left-hander looked shocked when umpire raised his finger after New Zealand A appealed for a catch behind off Zak Gibson. Padikkal stood on the pitch for a few moments, looking at the umpire and signalling that the ball had gone down the leg side and appeared to have brushed his pads.
But the decision went against him, forcing him to walk back to the pavilion on 199. He shook his head in disappointment as he left the field, while Yash Rathod walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder to acknowledge his effort.Gibson bowled a delivery down the leg side, and Padikkal tried to clip it towards the leg side but missed. The ball appeared to brush his pads before settling into wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay's gloves. There was a sound as the ball passed the bat, but Padikkal seemed convinced that it had not come off his bat. The appeal did not appear particularly strong, yet the umpire raised his finger.
Padikkal immediately looked towards the umpire in disbelief and gestured to show how far the ball was from his bat.
He remained on the pitch briefly, clearly unhappy with the decision, before making his way back.His innings ended at 199 off 248 balls, including 24 fours and three sixes. It was a fine knock under pressure, but the manner and timing of his dismissal made the end particularly painful.
Padikkal fights back after India A lose early wickets
India A had been bowled out for just 113 in the first innings and needed a strong response. However, their openers failed again, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul falling early in the second innings. India A were reduced to 10 for two, leaving the team in trouble once more.Padikkal then took charge and helped India A recover from the early collapse.