 "With his form, Devdutt Padikkal has strengthened his case for ODI selection. Image: PTI")
Indian cricketer Devdutt Padikkal continued his dream run in domestic cricket by creating a rare record that even legends like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma have not managed to achieve.
Padikkal’s knock played a key role as Karnataka thrashed Rajasthan by 150 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and booked their place in the quarter-finals. The left-hander scored 91 off 82 balls, falling just nine runs short of what would have been his fifth hundred in six matches this season.
Despite missing the three-digit mark, Padikkal reached an important milestone during the innings. He completed 600 runs in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, making him the first batter in the history of the tournament to score 600 or more runs in three different seasons. This makes the achievement even more special, as neither Kohli, Tendulkar, nor Rohit has managed to do this in the competition.
Padikkal’s consistency at the top of the order has been outstanding. After this innings, he now averages an impressive 83.62 in List A cricket after 38 innings, with 13 centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name. Except for one low score this season, the 25-year-old has been rock solid for Karnataka.
Padikkal, who has represented India in Tests and T20Is, has registered scores of 147, 124, 22, 113, 108 and 91 in six Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. With such consistent performances, he has strengthened his case for selection in India’s ODI team ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
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The Group A match itself turned into a one-sided affair. Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal led from the front with a superb 100 off 107 balls, his second century of the tournament. Padikkal and Mayank added a massive 184-run partnership, laying a strong foundation for Karnataka’s total of 324 for 7.
With the ball, India pacer Prasidh Krishna starred for Karnataka, picking up five wickets for 36 runs. His disciplined bowling completely dismantled Rajasthan, who were bowled out for 174 in just 38 overs. Karnataka have now won all six of their matches and are comfortably placed at the top of Group A with 24 points.