Despite a mountain of runs in domestic cricket, Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal finds himself on the outside looking in at India's packed One-Day International side. The left-hander, who recently smashed a century to help Karnataka record the highest successful run chase in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, has chosen perspective over disappointment after being overlooked for the series against New Zealand.
Making Peace with Fierce Competition
Speaking to The Indian Express after scoring 91 against Rajasthan, Padikkal admitted he was following the selection news but understood the reality. "I wouldn't say it was disappointing," Padikkal stated. "Yes, I was looking at the selection... But I understood that there are so many batters in the line and everyone has been doing really well. And it's not that easy to push into that one-day side."
The 25-year-old's acceptance comes despite boasting staggering numbers that make a compelling case. In just 37 List A matches, Padikkal has amassed 2585 runs at an astonishing average of 83.62, including 13 centuries and 13 fifties. His strike-rate of 93.37 silences any debate about his tempo. His form is scorching hot, with scores of 147, 124, 22, 113, 108, and 91 in Karnataka's six consecutive Vijay Hazare Trophy victories.
"That's something that as cricketers, you have to make peace with. You have to just try and do your job and keep scoring runs," he added, highlighting the mindset needed to navigate India's intense batting competition.
The RCB Transformation: From Opener to Middle-Order Powerhouse
Padikkal's journey hasn't been linear. Initially an IPL opener, he faced challenges adapting his game for the middle-overs in T20 cricket. A stint with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants yielded modest returns. However, a return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last season sparked a remarkable turnaround.
Under the guidance of veteran keeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik and coach Andy Flower, Padikkal reinvented himself. He scored 247 runs in 10 innings at a blistering strike-rate of 150.61, a significant jump from his career T20 rate of 126.29. This transformation has flowed into his domestic performances in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"All the credit for that goes to DK (Dinesh Karthik) and Andy (Flower) at RCB," Padikkal revealed. "The way they helped me through that phase and helped me understand how I can maximise my game in the T20 format helped me a lot... Earlier, because I was so used to playing in the power play, I was not really thinking about playing that phase after 7-14 overs."
He admitted the shift was challenging for a player whose game was moulded with Test cricket aspirations, but it proved to be a career-defining move.
The Natural Tempo of ODI Batting and Future Goals
While many modern batters grapple with pacing a 50-over innings, Padikkal seems to have mastered it instinctively. He attributes his success to finding a clear pattern early in his List A career.
"In one-dayers, it's all about that tempo and that pattern. Luckily for me, I found that pretty early... It's pretty straightforward for me. It's all about fighting that new ball initially and then after that, putting some pressure back on the bowler," he explained, detailing his methodical approach whether setting or chasing a target.
Looking ahead, Padikkal's immediate focus is on winning trophies with Karnataka, including the elusive Ranji Trophy. However, the long-term ambition is clear. "I want to try and be a permanent member of the Indian side," he stated. "I understand that there is a lot of competition. And all I can do is keep scoring runs and wait for my chance and take it when I get it."
With the Test team a more realistic short-term opening, and the 2026 horizon in sight, Devdutt Padikkal's philosophy remains simple: pile on the runs and let the bat do the talking.
