In Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts Devdutt Padikkal slams ton, no.3 spot all but confirmed
Devdutt Padikkal made a spectacular return to domestic cricket, scoring 102 runs off 99 balls in Karnataka’s Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal against Baroda. The left-handed opener, who was part of India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his talent by hitting 15 fours and two sixes, helping Karnataka recover after an early loss of Mayank Agarwal.
Padikkal’s century not only highlights his form but also solidifies his position as the likely No. 3 batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025. RCB secured Padikkal for ₹2 crore in the IPL mega-auction, marking his return to the franchise after three years.
With an impressive List A record of 1,875 runs at an average of 81.52, Padikkal has proven to be a valuable asset. In T20s, he has amassed 2,806 runs at an average of 31.17. After a disappointing IPL 2024 season where he scored just 38 runs in seven matches, Padikkal aims to bounce back and contribute significantly to RCB’s quest for their first title. His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has reignited hopes among fans as he prepares for the upcoming season.