The veteran and his understudy
Kolkata: No one watching the Galle Test missed that big, warm hug KL Rahul gave Devdutt Padikkal out of relief after the review that he almost didn’t take went his way. Nor did anyone following that broadcast closely miss that peck Rahul almost planted on his cheeks. It spoke of gratitude, but also of the affection that grows among players who are on the road year-round. KL Rahul (left) and Devdutt Padikkal in action during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. (PTI) For Rahul and Padikkal, it’s a bond that goes deeper because they turn out for Karnataka as well, churning runs while putting on massive partnerships together. So maybe it’s not bad after all that Padikkal is batting at No 3, lending India a top-order stability that they don’t have to work on for a change. Rahul and Padikkal put on 150 for the second wicket in the first innings, then another 65 in the second. Padikkal made 167, the defining innings of India’s 165-run victory; Rahul made 82 and 35. Across …
