Devdutt Padikkal reminded everyone of his class with a cracking century in Karnataka’s knockout game against Baroda. Playing at Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, the stylish left-hander hammered 102 off 99 balls. After missing out on more opportunities during the Australia tour, this knock was a loud statement.
The 24-year-old, who was part of India A’s shadow tour in Australia, didn’t get a second chance after the first Test in Perth. But his latest performance shows he’s not done fighting for his spot in the national setup.
Padikkal Takes the Lead Against Baroda After Early Wicket
Karnataka’s skipper Mayank Agarwal fell early, leaving the team in trouble. But Padikkal took charge right from the start. Opening alongside Agarwal, he found boundaries with ease in the powerplay and kept the scoreboard ticking.
While Padikkal was cruising, Aneesh KV took his time to settle in. Together, the duo stitched a vital 133-run partnership for the second wicket, bringing Karnataka back on track.
Padikkal reached his century in the 29th over, taking just 96 balls to get there. His knock was packed with 15 fours and 2 sixes, a perfect mix of class and aggression that dismantled Baroda’s bowlers.
Quick Departure After the Ton
Unfortunately, Padikkal’s stay ended soon after his century. In the 32nd over, Raj Limbani got him out for 102. Limbani also dismissed Aneesh KV earlier, who made a solid 52 from 64 balls.
Padikkal’s innings wasn’t just about runs. It was about making a statement. His calculated aggression showed his hunger to prove his worth. This was his ninth century in List A cricket, where he’s averaging over 80—a remarkable stat for someone still building his career.
Padikkal’s Last Few Appearances
Padikkal’s cricket journey has had its fair share of twists. His last List A game was against Chandigarh in the previous season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored a brilliant 114 at No. 3 to help Karnataka win by 22 runs.
His stint with India A in Australia, however, didn’t go as planned. He scored 36 and 88 in the first game but struggled in the first-class matches. In the series opener against Australia in Perth, Padikkal was picked over Abhimanyu Easwaran but couldn’t capitalise. He was dismissed for a duck by Josh Hazlewood in the first innings and managed just 25 in the second.
After that, he didn’t get another chance. Once Shubman Gill recovered from his injury, Padikkal was sidelined. His only other outing was in a pink-ball warm-up game, where he remained unbeaten on four.
But now, with this knockout century, Padikkal has put his name back in the spotlight.
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