Devdutt Padikkal Shines in Ranji Trophy 2026
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season has produced one of the most consistent and dominant batting performances in recent domestic cricket history, courtesy of Karnataka’s left-handed opener Devdutt Padikkal. At 25 years of age, Padikkal has transformed from a promising talent into a run-machine who is single-handedly keeping Karnataka in the Elite Group A title race while sending a loud reminder to national selectors ahead of the England Test tour later in 2026. Through the first eight matches of the season (as of 1 February 2026), Padikkal has amassed 1,012 runs at an average of 92.00, with four centuries and five fifties. His strike-rate hovers around 68 in first-class cricket, blending classical technique with ruthless accumulation.
As Karnataka prepare for their final group-stage fixture against Tamil Nadu starting 5 February, Padikkal’s form has become the biggest talking point in domestic circles. Here is a detailed look at his season so far, standout knocks, technical strengths, statistical milestones and what his current run means for his India future.
Season So Far: Numbers That Tell the Story
Padikkal’s Ranji campaign began quietly with a 42 and 18 in the opening game against Baroda in Vadodara (November 2025). Since then he has produced eight consecutive scores of fifty or more—a streak that includes:
- 134 & 78* vs Railways, Delhi
- 206 vs Madhya Pradesh, Indore
- 91 & 112* vs Vidarbha, Nagpur
- 167 vs Saurashtra, Rajkot
- 89 & 54* vs Mumbai, Wankhede
- 76 vs Andhra, Visakhapatnam
- 188* vs Kerala, Alur
The unbeaten 188* against Kerala (posted on 30–31 January 2026) was his fourth first-class double-hundred and took his season tally past 1,000 runs in just 13 innings. He has faced 1,487 balls, hit 128 fours and 14 sixes, and has been dismissed only five times in the last seven innings.
His average of 92.00 is the highest by any Indian batsman in a single Ranji season since Wasim Jaffer’s 95.50 in 2008–09. Padikkal has spent more than 2,800 minutes at the crease this season, the most by any player, underlining his concentration and stamina.
Standout Knocks and Tactical Maturity
The 206 against Madhya Pradesh in Indore (December 2025) was the knock that set the tone. Coming in at 42/2 on a greenish track, Padikkal batted for 412 minutes, faced 298 balls, and hit 26 fours. He added 312 runs for the third wicket with KL Rahul, rescuing Karnataka from early trouble and setting up an innings victory.
The 188* against Kerala at Alur was even more impressive under pressure. Karnataka were set 312 to win in 78 overs on a wearing pitch with the ball turning sharply. Padikkal walked in at 38/2, lost partners regularly, and still batted through the final day, finishing unbeaten on 188 off 312 balls with 19 fours. He paced the chase perfectly—defensive in the first session, accelerating after tea—and remained not out when Karnataka reached the target with six wickets in hand.
Selectors and former players have repeatedly praised his ability to bat long periods without losing concentration, a skill that has been missing in Indian top-order batting in red-ball cricket since the retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli from Tests.
Technical Strengths and Areas of Improvement
Padikkal’s batting is built on classical fundamentals:
- Rock-solid defence against both pace and spin
- Excellent balance and high back-lift for elegant drives
- Strong against short bowling—pulls and hooks played with authority
- Soft hands and late play against spin, especially effective against left-arm orthodox and off-spin
- Ability to use his feet to spinners on turning tracks
Areas that still attract scrutiny:
- Occasional tendency to play away from the body early in innings (dismissed thrice nicking to slip in the first 20 balls this season)
- Vulnerability to left-arm pace swinging the new ball away (dismissed four times by left-arm seamers)
- Limited six-hitting power compared to modern T20 openers (only 14 sixes in 1,012 runs this season)
Despite these minor flaws, Padikkal has shown marked improvement in leaving deliveries outside off stump and rotating strike under pressure—two areas where he was previously criticised.
Impact on Karnataka’s Campaign and National Selection Debate
Karnataka currently sit third in Elite Group A with 42 points from eight games (five wins, two draws, one loss). Padikkal has been involved in nine century stands this season, contributing 68 % of Karnataka’s total runs when he has batted. His consistency has allowed Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (when available) and Nikin Jose to play freely.
Nationally, Padikkal’s Ranji form has reignited calls for his Test recall. He last played a Test in December 2024 against Australia in Perth, scoring 45 and 22. Since then he has been in and out of limited-overs squads but overlooked for red-ball cricket. His current domestic average of 92.00, combined with four first-class centuries this season, makes a compelling case for inclusion in the England Test squad (July–August 2026).
Former India opener Aakash Chopra tweeted: “Devdutt Padikkal is batting like a man possessed. 1,000+ runs in Ranji, four hundreds, no failures in sight. If he’s not in the Test squad for England, selectors need to explain why.”
Public and Expert Reactions
The cricket community has reacted with near-unanimous praise:
- Sanjay Manjrekar: “Padikkal is showing the temperament required for Test cricket—patience, technique and hunger.”
- Harsha Bhogle: “The left-hander we have been waiting for. Elegant, compact and ruthless when set.”
- Karnataka coach J Arun Kumar: “He has worked hard on his fitness and mental conditioning. This is the Devdutt we always knew he could be.”
Fans on social media have started the #PadikkalForEngland campaign, with thousands of posts and fan edits of his cover drives synced to motivational music.
Looking Ahead: Remaining Ranji Fixtures and Beyond
Karnataka’s final group-stage match against Tamil Nadu (5–8 February 2026) at Alur is crucial. A win could secure a top-two finish and a direct quarter-final spot. Padikkal will be expected to anchor the innings once again on a pitch expected to assist spin.
If he maintains his form, selectors may find it difficult to ignore him for the England Tests. His left-handedness offers balance to the top order (especially against swing in English conditions), and his ability to bat long periods suits the longer format.
Devdutt Padikkal’s Ranji Trophy 2026 season is already one for the record books. Whether it translates into an India Test recall or not, the 25-year-old has reminded everyone why he was once considered the next big thing in Indian batting. For now, he remains the undisputed king of domestic red-ball cricket.
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