Padikkal, Suthar Overlooked as Prasidh Claims Dressing-Room Honour
Despite Devdutt Padikkal's Player of the Series heroics and Manav Suthar's wicket haul, India's internal award went to pacer Prasidh Krishna.
Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to the Indian side with a stellar run, amassing 328 runs in three innings, including two centuries, and earning the official Player of the Series award. Manav Suthar also shone with the ball, taking 16 wickets across four innings—more than anyone else in the series. Yet, when it came to the team's internal 'Impact Player of the Series' memento, neither was chosen.
The recognition went to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who impressed with seven wickets in the two-match Test series at an average of 24.57. Krishna bowled 58.3 overs, the most among all fast bowlers from both sides, and his consistency on spin-friendly tracks stood out. India's performance analyst, Hari Prasad Mohan, presented the award and praised Krishna's dedication and rigorous training effort throughout the series.
The decision highlights the management's focus on role-specific contributions, with Krishna's workload and ability to make the ball talk earning him the dressing-room accolade. While Padikkal and Suthar had flashier numbers, the team's internal recognition opted to celebrate the pacer's grit and perseverance, which were vital in demanding conditions.