Archive · 14 Aug 2026

Aakash Chopra Picks Playing XI, Names Padikkal As Sudharsan's Replacement

Aakash Chopra Picks Playing XI, Names Padikkal As Sudharsan's Replacement

Cricket is a sport played between two teams.

India and Sri Lanka are getting ready to play a special long match called a Test match.

Before the match, a famous cricket expert named Aakash Chopra chose the eleven players he thinks should play.

One of India's players, Sai Sudharsan, hurt his toe.

Because of that injury, he could not play in the series.

Another player named Sarfaraz Khan was picked to join the team instead.

But Aakash Chopra thinks Devdutt Padikkal should take Sudharsan's usual batting spot at number three.

Padikkal is a left-handed batter who has played in two Test matches since 2024.

He scored a century in a practice game against the Sri Lanka XI.

Picking a team is part of the excitement before a big cricket series.

Sources