Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal is an Indian cricketer. He plays for India in international matches and for Karnataka in domestic matches and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Padikkal bats as a left-handed opener who uses his elegant batting style to achieve success in limited-overs cricket.[1]
He made his T20I debut for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka national cricket team and later made his Test debut in 2024 against England cricket team. The public recognized him after he won the IPL 2020 Emerging Player Award.
Early Life
Devdutt Padikkal was born on 7 July 2000 in Edappal, Kerala, India. His surname "Padikkal" exists because his family follows matrilineal inheritance.
His family relocated to Bengaluru during 2011 when he started his official cricket training at Karnataka Institute of Cricket. From his early childhood, he demonstrated outstanding batting ability which led him to play for Karnataka in different age-group competitions that included Under-16 and Under-19 teams.[2][3]
Education
Padikkal completed his schooling in Bengaluru and later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru. His academic studies did not stop him from pursuing his cricket development activities.
Career
Devdutt Padikkal is a skilled left-handed batsman who gained recognition through his steady domestic cricket and Indian Premier League performances. He achieved a major career breakthrough when he received the Emerging Player of the Tournament award during IPL 2020 as a member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Padikkal made his international debut for India in 2021 and later earned a Test cap in 2024 against England cricket team. He is regarded as one of the most promising young batters in Indian cricket because of his smooth batting style and his ability to maintain composure.
Domestic Career
Padikkal made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy. He quickly established himself as a dependable top-order batter.
He scored 609 runs to become the top run-scorer during the 2019–20 Vijay Hazare Trophy which demonstrated his ability to score runs consistently during List A matches. He achieved success during domestic T20 tournaments which included the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.[4][5]
International Career
Padikkal joined India’s squad for their 2021 Sri Lanka tour and he played his first T20 International match during that same year. His calm approach and solid technique made him a promising prospect for the national team.
In 2024 he earned a call-up to the Test squad as a replacement for KL Rahul and made his debut against England, scoring a composed 65 runs in his first innings.
Indian Premier League
Padikkal was selected by Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the 2019 IPL auction and he made an immediate impact. In IPL 2020 he scored 473 runs and won the Emerging Player Award. He also became the first player in IPL history to score three fifties in his first four matches. In IPL 2021 he scored his maiden century 101 against Rajasthan Royals.
He joined Rajasthan Royals in 2022 and maintained his consistent performance throughout the season. He was subsequently traded to Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming 2024 season. Padikkal returned to Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the 2025 IPL auction but his season ended early because of an injury.
Work and Contributions
The Indian cricket community considers Devdutt Padikkal as one of its most proficient young batsmen. His calm temperament together with his elegant stroke play and his ability to anchor innings make him a valuable asset for both domestic cricket and franchise leagues such as the IPL. He has played a key role in Karnataka’s success in domestic tournaments and he shows strong potential to establish himself as an Indian top-order batter in the future.
Awards and Recognition
Devdutt Padikkal gained widespread recognition after winning the Emerging Player of the Tournament award in the Indian Premier League 2020, where he impressed with consistent performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He achieved the status of top run-scorer during the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy competition which demonstrated his complete control over domestic List A cricket. He joins a select group of players who quickly establish themselves in the IPL by delivering multiple performances that lead to victory during their first season.
External Links
See also
References
- ↑ [https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/devdutt-padikkal-becomes-first-cricketer-born-in-this-century-to-play-for-india-1833871-2021-07-28 SL vs Ind, 2nd T20: Devdutt Padikkal becomes first male cricketer born in this century to play for India [] . In India Today . Retrieved 7 April 2026
- ↑ [https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/devdutt-padikkal-know-all-about-royal-challengers-bangalore-batting-star-family-records-age-152061.html Devdutt Padikkal: Know all about the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting star; family, records, age [] . In My Khel . Retrieved 7 April 2026
- ↑ [https://www.onmanorama.com/ "'Test cricket is the ultimate': India 'A'-select Devdutt Padikkal shares his dreams [] . In Manorma Online . Retrieved 7 April 2026
- ↑ [https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ranji-trophy-2018-19-1156773/karnataka-vs-maharashtra-elite-group-a-1156990/full-scorecard Karnataka won by 7 wickets [] . Retrieved 7 April 2026
- ↑ [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-news/devdutt-padikkal-third-fifty-four-games-rcb-vs-rr-aaron-finch-royal-challengers-bangalore-ipl-2020-record/article32760768.ece Devdutt Padikkal only player in IPL history to score 3 fifties in first 4 games [] . In SPORTSTAR . Retrieved 7 April 2026