Devdutt Padikkal continues to let his bat do the talking despite missing out on selection for India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The Karnataka opener is enjoying one of the finest domestic seasons of his career, producing a remarkable run spree in the Vijay Hazare Trophy that has firmly placed him among the most consistent performers in Indian List A cricket.
In six matches this season, Padikkal has already scored four centuries along with a fluent 91, playing a central role in Karnataka’s unbeaten run so far. His contributions have been instrumental in guiding the team to six wins from six outings, yet the national call-up has remained elusive. Rather than allowing the omission to dent his confidence, Padikkal has adopted a composed and pragmatic outlook, acknowledging the depth and competition within India’s batting ranks.
Speaking about the selection process, the left-hander made it clear that he understands the realities of modern Indian cricket. With several top-order batters performing strongly across formats, opportunities at the international level are limited and fiercely contested. Padikkal believes that acceptance and consistency are the only controllable factors in such situations, and his focus remains firmly on scoring runs and delivering performances for his state side.
That mindset was evident when he followed up the disappointment with another impactful knock, scoring 91 against Rajasthan in a commanding 150-run victory for Karnataka. The innings pushed his tournament tally beyond 600 runs once again, marking his third Vijay Hazare Trophy season with 600-plus runs, a testament to his sustained excellence in the 50-over format.
Padikkal’s strength in List A cricket stems from his clear understanding of tempo and innings construction. He has previously amassed 600-plus runs in one season and followed it up with a staggering 737 runs in just eight matches the next year. This early success helped him develop confidence in pacing an innings, rotating strike, and accelerating at the right moments, skills that have become his hallmark in one-day cricket.
While his 50-over game appears naturally suited to his technique, Padikkal has also worked diligently on adapting to the demands of T20 cricket. He credits his growth in the shortest format to guidance from Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentors, including Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower. Their input helped him understand how to maximise scoring beyond the powerplay and adjust his approach during the middle overs, an area that required conscious evolution in his game.
Despite the current wait for an international recall, Padikkal’s domestic performances have ensured that his name remains firmly in contention. With India’s top-order depth stronger than ever, patience is essential, but his recent form has made him increasingly difficult to overlook. Calm, composed, and relentlessly productive, Devdutt Padikkal is building a compelling case that time, rather than talent, is the only thing separating him from another opportunity at the highest level.