Player Profile
Full Name: Devdutt Padikkal
Born: July 7, 2000 (Edapal, Kerala, India)
Age: 24 years
Playing Role: Top-order left-handed batsman | Right-arm offbreak (occasional)
Height: 1.90 m (6’3″)
Current Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL), Karnataka (Domestic)
Past IPL Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants
Career Overview
Devdutt Padikkal burst onto the scene as one of India’s most promising young batsmen, making waves with his elegant strokeplay and consistency across formats. The tall left-hander first gained attention during his stellar 2019-20 domestic season before making an immediate impact in the IPL.
Early Career & Rise to Prominence
- Made his First-Class debut for Karnataka in 2018 at just 18 years old
- Breakout 2019-20 season: Top scorer in both Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A)
- Historic feat: First Indian batter to score four consecutive List A centuries (2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy)
- IPL debut in 2020 for RCB, winning Emerging Player award with 473 runs
International Career
- T20I debut: July 2021 vs Sri Lanka
- Test debut: March 2024 vs England (Visakhapatnam)
- Showed promise in early international appearances but yet to cement permanent spot
IPL Journey
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | RCB | 15 | 473 | 74 | 31.53 | 124.80 | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 | RCB | 14 | 411 | 101* | 31.61 | 125.30 | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 | RR | 17 | 376 | 54 | 22.11 | 122.87 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | RR | 11 | 261 | 52 | 26.10 | 123.11 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | LSG | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | RCB | 2* | 37* | 27* | 18.50* | 123.33* | 0 | 0 |
*Stats as of March 2025
IPL Highlights
🏆 2020 Emerging Player of the Tournament
💯 Maiden IPL century (101* off 52 balls vs RR, 2021)
🔥 Fastest to 1000 IPL runs among uncapped Indian players (38 innings)
Batting Strengths
✔ Elegant left-handed technique with classical strokeplay
✔ Uses height advantage to play rising deliveries comfortably
✔ Strong off-side game with exquisite cover drives
✔ Adaptable across formats with healthy strike rates
Career Statistics (2025 Update)
Test Cricket
| Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 90 | 65 | 30.00 | 45.68 | 0 | 1 |
First-Class Cricket
| Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 2,815 | 193 | 41.39 | 57.81 | 6 | 17 |
List A Cricket
| Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 2,071 | 152 | 79.65 | 90.79 | 9 | 12 |
T20 Cricket
| Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 2,843 | 124* | 30.90 | 132.23 | 3 | 17 |
Recent Performances (2024-25)
- 27 vs CSK (IPL 2025)
- 10 vs KKR (IPL 2025)
- Twin 43s vs Haryana (Ranji Trophy 2025)
- Strong 2023-24 domestic season with 4 FC centuries in 6 matches
Career Challenges & Comeback
Padikkal faced significant obstacles during his rise:
- 2021 intestinal issue that affected form and fitness
- IPL struggles after leaving RCB (2022-23 seasons)
- Positional changes in batting order affecting rhythm
However, his 2023-24 domestic resurgence (topping Vijay Hazare charts) earned him:
- Test debut against England (2024)
- Return to RCB for IPL 2025
Future Prospects
At 24, Padikkal has time to:
- Cement his place in India’s Test middle-order
- Regain IPL consistency with RCB at top-order
- Push for 2025 T20 World Cup selection
Conclusion: Can Padikkal Fulfill His Early Promise?
Devdutt Padikkal remains one of Indian cricket’s most technically-gifted young batsmen. While his career has seen fluctuations, his classical batting style and domestic dominance suggest he could still become a mainstay for India across formats.
2025 presents a crucial season – both in IPL with RCB and potentially for India. If he can translate his domestic form to international cricket, Padikkal could finally deliver on his immense potential.
FAQs About Devdutt Padikkal
Q: Why did Padikkal leave RCB initially?
A: Released after 2021 season despite good performances due to team composition changes.
Q: What is Padikkal’s highest IPL score?
A: 101* (52 balls) for RCB vs RR in 2021.
Q: Which IPL team has he performed best for?
A: RCB (884 runs in 2020-21 at avg 31+ & SR 125+).
Q: Has Padikkal played Test cricket?
A: Yes, debuted vs England in 2024, scoring 65 in his second innings.
Q: Why is Padikkal considered special?
A: For his textbook technique, height advantage, and record-breaking domestic performances at young age.
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