Through his elegant batting along with consistent accomplishments Devdutt Padikkal established his place in cricket as a left-handed style batter. This blog delves into the life, career, and accomplishments of this young cricketing prodigy.
Early Life and Background
Devdutt Padikkal entered this world on July 7th 2000 to his parents Ambili Padikkal and Babunu Kunnath in Kerala. The matrilineal family tradition allowed Padikkal to acquire his Padikkal surname. His family made a move from Hyderabad to Bangalore when Padikkal reached 11 years of age. His decision to move to Karnataka Institute of Cricket enabled his skill development at the facility. Padikkal initially played cricket for the Karnataka state teams in under-16 and under-19 leagues which demonstrated his potential dominance of the game.
His career advancement became evident when the Bellary Tuskers selected him in 2017 during the Karnataka Premier League competition. During his cricketing career Padikkal obtained a Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce in Bangalore.
Domestic Career
His first professional milestone in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy featured his first-level appearance for Karnataka. The 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy served as his official declaration when he emerged as the top run-scorer in the tournament. Padikkal scored most runs in the tournament by accumulating 609 runs across 11 matches. He successfully scored both big innings and multi-fifty performances within four centuries and five fifties throughout his consistent run which showed his ability to deliver under demanding situations.
Padikkal experienced his defining year during the 2019-20 season when he maintained his strong performance in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy. His excellent performances during this period secured him a place in India’s national development team enabling further development of his cricket abilities.
Padikkal established a breakthrough moment in List A batting during the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy by becoming the initial Indian batter to reach four successive first-class hundreds. His achievements made him establish himself among the most promising cricket talents in Indian cricket.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Journey
Early Success with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team signed Devdutt Padikkal before the 2020 IPL season. His 20-year-old self displayed exceptional calmness through 15 matches where he established 473 runs. The five half-centuries secured him the Emerging Player of the Tournament distinction. During his time at RCB Padikkal showed his ability to stabilize the batting lineup while applying quick acceleration when needed which established him as an important member of the squad.
During the 2021 IPL season Padikkal reached another level with his batting performance by accumulating more than 400 runs while also getting his first IPL hundred. Padikkal exhibited unmatched mastery of bat skills during his unbeaten 101* run in 52 balls against Rajasthan Royals to lead RCB to a 10-wicket win.
Transition to Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The team management at Royal Challengers Bangalore released Padikkal prior to the IPL auction before Rajasthan Royals acquired him for their roster. When Padikkal shifted from opening the batting line-up to batting as a middle-order player he had to overcome various adjustment obstacles. Padikkal finished the 2022 IPL with 376 runs across 17 innings which showed decent performance though not reaching his prior achievements.
During the 2023 IPL season Padikkal scored less than 260 runs despite playing in 11 games. The batting rhythm problems led the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to acquire Padikkal before the 2024 IPL season began.
Lucknow Super Giants introduced Padikkal to a return to top form in competitive cricket.
Padikkal started anew after transferring to LSG. Opening the innings once again he restored his batting flame by displaying several flashes of the form he displayed before. The return of Padikkal to Royal Challengers Bangalore came through their purchase of him in the 2025 IPL auction at his base price of 2 crores.
International Career
The exceptional play of Padikkal in Indian first-class and IPL competition secured his contract with the Indian national cricket team during July 2021. Padikkal introduced himself to T20I competition when Sri Lanka hosted him on July 28, 2021 in Colombo. Despite limited playing opportunities Padikkal maintained his strong performance in domestic matches which kept him eligible for selection to national teams.
The opening batsman received his first Test-team selection from India during February 2024 when he replaced KL Rahul for England series matches. He started his Test career by playing in Dharamsala during March 2024 resulting in 65 runs from 103 balls. The match established his capability to handle the difficulties of first-class cricket.
Challenges and Comebacks
The acute intestinal health problem hit Padikkal in 2021 as his career moved upward just before that point. He experienced almost two years of establishment during his attempt to restore his former game consistency. Through great determination and resilience Padikkal managed to return stronger in the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy by leading Karnataka as their top run scorer. His first-class cricket show produced 4 hundred runs in 6 matches following his outstanding performance at the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Personal Life and Interests
Devdutt Padikkal maintains a peaceful disposition in addition to his intense dedication to the sport outside cricketing events. The 6 feet 3 inches height of Padikkal provides him superior movement as he faces opposing bowlers. The cricketer is passionate about football which is showcased through his Manchester United team support. Taio Cruz is one of his preferred musicians and Bad Boys and Logan are among his favorite films.
Edappal resident Padikkal lives in a luxurious property where he drives Fortuner Toyota along with Seltos Kia. His endorsements of Puma and Vivo along with Eatfit show his rising impact in the world of cricket.
Achievements and Accolades
Emerging Player of the Tournament in the 2020 IPL.
Leading run-scorer in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He became the first Indian cricketer to notch up four consecutive List A hundred notches.
Maiden IPL century: 101 off 52 balls* against Rajasthan Royals in 2021.
His first Test cricket match resulted in 65 runs versus England during 2024.
Salary and Net Worth
The estimated worth of Padikkal stands at INR 9 crore and his yearly earnings surpass INR 8 crore. His cricketing salary includes:
Ranji Trophy: INR 40,000 per day
Vijay Hazare Trophy: INR 25,000 per day
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: INR 17,500 per game
IPL Salary: INR 7.75 crore
future outlook
Padikkal exemplifies great talent combined with strong resolve throughout his path. The player has now passed his obstacles and shows potential to scale even higher in domestic cricket and international competitions. As a cricketer Padikkal shows great promise because he started his career during good times and already accumulated considerable experience as he approaches his prime.
Throughout his narrative Devdutt Padikkal revealed his commitment to succeed while showing exceptional skills and strong passion. His progression from Karnataka and achievement as an important Indian cricketer has motivated aspiring cricketers across the country. The cricketing community strongly anticipates future achievements from this remarkable cricketing talent as he keeps developing and changing his techniques.
| Classification | Information |
| Full Name | Devdutt Padikkal |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Edappal, Kerala |
| Parents | Ambili Padikkal (Mother), Babunu Kunnath (Father) |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Business Administration, St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Domestic Team | Karnataka |
| IPL Teams | Royal Challengers Bangalore (2020–2021), Rajasthan Royals (2022–2023), Lucknow Super Giants (2024), RCB (2025) |
| First-Class Debut | 2018-19 Ranji Trophy |
| T20I Debut | July 28, 2021, vs. Sri Lanka |
| Test Debut | March 7, 2024, vs. England |
| Achievements | Emerging Player of the Tournament, 2020 IPL |
| Leading run-scorer, 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy | |
| First Indian batter to score four consecutive List A hundreds | |
| Maiden IPL century: 101* off 52 balls (2021) | |
| Challenges Overcome | Acute intestinal issue in 2021 affecting form and fitness |
| Major Tournaments | Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, IPL, Ranji Trophy |
| Top Performances | 609 runs in 11 matches in 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy |
| 473 runs in IPL 2020 | |
| Test debut score: 65 runs (2024) | |
| Preferred Position | Opening batter |
| Net Worth | INR 9 crore |
| Annual Income | INR 8+ crore |
| IPL Salary (2025) | INR 2 crore |
| Hobbies and Interests | Football fan (Supports Manchester United) |
| Enjoys music by Taio Cruz | |
| Favorite movies: Bad Boys, Logan | |
| Luxury Items | Houses: Luxury residence in Edappal, Kerala |
| Cars: Toyota Fortuner, Kia Seltos | |
| Endorsements | Puma, Vivo, Eatfit |
| Strengths | Ability to adapt across formats |
| Consistency and composure under pressure | |
| Excellent timing and placement | |
| Weaknesses | Adjusting to middle-order roles (as seen in RR tenure) |
| Future Goals | Achieve milestones in international cricket |
Detailed Q&A on Devdutt Padikkal
Q1. Who is Devdutt Padikkal?
A. Devdutt Padikkal is a professional Indian cricketer, known for his elegant left-handed batting. He has represented Karnataka in domestic cricket and played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He made his international debut for India in 2021.
Q2. When and where was Devdutt Padikkal born?
A. Devdutt Padikkal was born on July 7, 2000, in Edappal, Kerala, India.
Q3. What is Padikkal’s early cricketing journey?
A. Devdutt Padikkal began playing cricket at a young age and joined the Karnataka Institute of Cricket after his family moved to Bangalore. He played for Karnataka in under-16 and under-19 tournaments and gained prominence by performing in the Karnataka Premier League for the Bellary Tuskers.
Q4. How did Padikkal rise to prominence in domestic cricket?
A. Padikkal rose to fame during the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 609 runs in 11 matches. He also shone in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and became the first Indian batter to score four consecutive List A centuries in the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Q5. What are Padikkal’s notable IPL achievements?
A.In the 2020 IPL, he scored 473 runs, earning the Emerging Player of the Tournament award.
Scored his maiden IPL century (101 off 52 balls*) for RCB in the 2021 season.
Transitioned to the Rajasthan Royals in 2022 and returned to form as an opener in 2024 with Lucknow Super Giants.
Q6. When did Padikkal make his international debut?
A. Devdutt Padikkal made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka on July 28, 2021, in Colombo. He later made his Test debut on March 7, 2024, against England, scoring 65 runs in his first innings.
Q7. What challenges has Padikkal faced in his career?
A.Padikkal suffered from an acute intestinal issue in 2021, which affected his form and fitness.
He experienced a dip in performance during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons but worked hard to regain his rhythm through domestic cricket.
Q8. What is Padikkal’s playing style and strength?
A. Devdutt Padikkal is known for his elegant batting style, characterized by timing, placement, and an ability to accelerate the scoring rate. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, his height provides him an advantage, especially against pace bowlers.
Q9. What are Padikkal’s personal interests outside cricket?
A.He is a passionate football fan and supports Manchester United.
Enjoys listening to music by Taio Cruz.
His favorite movies include Bad Boys and Logan.
Q10. What awards and accolades has Padikkal received?
A.Emerging Player of the Tournament – 2020 IPL.
Leading run-scorer – 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
First Indian batter with four consecutive List A centuries.
Q11. What is Padikkal’s net worth and salary?
A. Devdutt Padikkal’s estimated net worth is INR 9 crore. His cricket earnings include:
Ranji Trophy: INR 40,000 per day.
IPL Salary: INR 7.75 crore.
Q12. What is Padikkal’s future in cricket?
A. At just 25 years old, Padikkal has immense potential. With his recent form in domestic and IPL cricket, he is poised to become a regular fixture in India’s national team across formats.
Q13. What is Padikkal’s educational background?
A. Devdutt Padikkal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore.
Q14. What are Padikkal’s favorite endorsements and assets?
A. He endorses brands like Puma, Vivo, and Eatfit. He owns a luxury house in Edappal, Kerala, and cars like the Toyota Fortuner and Kia Seltos.
Q15. What makes Padikkal an inspiring figure?
A. Devdutt Padikkal’s journey of overcoming challenges, adapting to various roles, and excelling across formats serves as an inspiration to budding cricketers. His resilience and consistent performances highlight his determination to succeed.