Despite a phenomenal run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, Devdutt Padikkal has been left out of India's ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The omission has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts, but the 25-year-old Karnataka batsman remains focused on scoring runs and maintaining a positive attitude.
Padikkal's recent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been nothing short of exceptional. In six matches, he has amassed 605 runs, averaging a remarkable 100.83, including four centuries and a half-century. This stellar performance makes him the first Indian batter to score 600 or more runs in three editions of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He previously achieved this feat in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. In the match against Rajasthan, Padikkal narrowly missed his fifth century, scoring 91 runs.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Padikkal displayed maturity and understanding regarding the selection process. "I wouldn't say it was disappointing," he stated, acknowledging the stiff competition for a place in the ODI side. He recognized that many talented batters are vying for selection and that breaking into the team is challenging. "And again, that's something that as cricketers, you have to make peace with. And you have to just try and do your job and keep scoring runs," Padikkal added.
Padikkal's List A record speaks volumes about his consistency and ability in the 50-over format. In 38 List A matches, he has scored 2,585 runs, including 13 centuries and 12 fifties, with an impressive average of 83.62. This average is the highest among all batsmen who have scored at least 2000 runs in List A cricket. Despite these numbers, a spot in the ODI team eludes him, further fueling the debate about selection criteria.
Padikkal's journey in cricket has seen him evolve from an opener who struggled with aggressive intent in T20s to a more consistent middle-order batsman. He acknowledges that adapting to the demands of T20 cricket was a challenge initially. He credits Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coaches Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower for helping him adjust his game and maximize his potential in the format.
Looking ahead, Padikkal remains focused on his goals, which include winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy with Karnataka. He also has his sights set on Test cricket, having already made his Test debut in March 2024 against England. Padikkal is determined to continue scoring runs and contributing to his team's success, maintaining a level-headed approach despite the setback of the ODI selection snub.
