Recently, he was traded to the Lucknow SuperGiants in an auction
Born on July 7, 2000, in Edappal, Kerala, Padikkal began his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2020 and has been one of the finest finds in IPL’s history. Right from his debut season, he made a significant impact, scoring 473 runs in 15 games and hitting five half-centuries.
In his sophomore season, Padikkal impressed, surpassing the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni to become the third-fastest Indian to reach 1,000 IPL runs. Following his stint with RCB, Padikkal joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2023. Recently, he was traded to the Lucknow SuperGiants, where he remains a crucial player.
As we celebrate his 24th birthday today, let us look at his best IPL knocks.
Devdutt Padikkal raises his bat in celebration of his first century in the IPL
Padikkal scored his first IPL century in a match against the Rajasthan Royals in 2021. Chasing a target of 177, Padikkal partnered with Virat Kohli to lead RCB to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. Their unbeaten partnership of 181 runs was a masterclass in batting, with Padikkal contributing a brilliant 101 off just 52 balls. His innings featured 11 boundaries and six sixes, highlighting his aggressive yet controlled approach that dismantled the opposition's bowling attack.
One of Padikkal's finest innings was on the Abu Dhabi pitch, where he showcased his composure in a high-pressure situation. The young batsman played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial 74 off 45 balls against the Mumbai Indians. His standout performance helped RCB post a total of 164 runs. Despite his valiant effort, RCB couldn't defend the total, as the five-time champions chased it down with ease, winning the match by five wickets. Padikkal's innings, however, remained the highlight of the game.
Padikkal once again displayed his batting prowess with a crucial knock for RCB. He scored 70 runs off 50 deliveries, and a half-century from Virat Kohli helped the franchise post a total of 156 runs. Padikkal's innings featured five fours and three sixes, highlighting his ability to combine power with precision. Despite his efforts, Bangalore lost the game by six wickets, but Padikkal's performance stood out as a key highlight.
In his debut match, Padikkal demonstrated impressive poise, guiding RCB to a competitive total after Aaron Finch and Virat Kohli's early losses. He struck a half-century, scoring 56 runs from 42 balls and eight boundaries. Thanks to Padikkal's superb performance, RCB managed to post 163 runs on the board and secured a 10-run victory, making his debut a standout moment.
Devdutt Padikkal on his way to half-century for Rajasthan Royals/ Picture Courtesy: NDTV
Padikkal first and only fifty for the Rajasthan Royals came in a match where Jos Buttler dominated the spotlight. While Buttler attacked Delhi's bowlers with a ferocious 116 off 65 balls, Padikkal complimented him perfectly. He contributed 54 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 150. Despite Delhi's strong start in chasing the daunting target of 223, they ultimately fell short by 15 runs, securing a win for Rajasthan.
Last but not least, he remains one of the few IPL players who hit a 50 on the debut day.
