Devdutt Padikkal

Upcoming star from Karnataka's rich lineage, Devdutt Padikkal has shown unbelievable class and confidence, as of now. The Kerala-born does not have much international experience as of now but he has shown an extraordinary talent for his India U-19 team during the Sri Lanka tour. Owing to his eye-catching play during the matches, he reserved his place in the national team.

The country took notice of this rookie in the Karnataka Premier League in 2017 for his team Bellary Tuskers where he scored 72 in just 53 balls which led him to Karnataka U-19s. He was the fourth-highest run-getter in Cooch Behar Trophy 2018 with a massive score of 829 runs. Padikkal’s name came into the limelight when he scored 580 runs in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. He was the leading run-getter in the competition with an average of 64 and carried a strike rate of 175, including one hundred and five half-centuries.

Padikkal was acquired by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 20 lacs 2019 IPL auction. Deemed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, he impressed one and all on his IPL debut as he smashed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowlers to all corners of the ground. He had a massive breakthrough 2020-21 domestic season as the southpaw stockpiled 737 runs in seven matches in the Vijay Hazare trophy. 

The elegant southpaw, who had a destructive 2020 edition of the IPL, striking 473 runs in his debut season, certainly elevated himself to the next level in the subsequent tournament. He smashed his maiden IPL century against the Rajasthan Royals in the stellar run chase smashing 100 off just 51 deliveries, after testing positive for COVID, before the start of 2021 IPL. Padikkal launched six sixes and 11 fours and outshone his batting partner Virat Kohli at the other end.

A shy, unassuming cricketer, Padikkal oozes class and confidence and is slowly laddering the ranks to create a place for himself in the Indian cricket team. Owing to his consistent performances, selectors gave the nod to Padikkal during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later in the year.

(As of June 2021)