Devdutt Padikkal
Role: Batter
DOB: 07 July 2000
IPL Team (2026): Lucknow Super Giants
Base Price: INR 7.75 Cr (2022 Auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 64 | 64 | 4 | 1629 | 101* | 27.15 | 1257 | 129.59 | 1 | 7 | 179 | 49 | 24 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 108 | 39 | 15.42 | 91 | 118.68 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 261 | 52 | 23.72 | 198 | 131.81 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 8 | 3 |
| 2022 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 376 | 48 | 22.11 | 291 | 122.86 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 411 | 101* | 31.61 | 298 | 137.91 | 1 | 1 | 45 | 16 | 8 |
| 2020 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 473 | 56 | 31.53 | 379 | 124.80 | 0 | 5 | 51 | 12 | 7 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
The Story of Devdutt Padikkal
Hailing from Karnataka, Devdutt Padikkal burst onto the IPL scene like a breath of fresh air, a tall, elegant left-handed opener with a classical stroke-making style. Born on July 7, 2000, Padikkal quickly made a name for himself in domestic cricket, showcasing a maturity beyond his years. His consistent performances for Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy caught the eye of IPL scouts, leading to his acquisition by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2020 auction.
His IPL debut season in 2020 was nothing short of spectacular. Opening the innings for RCB alongside the likes of Virat Kohli and Aaron Finch, Padikkal defied expectations, scoring 473 runs with five half-centuries. He became the youngest player to score 400+ runs in a debut IPL season, captivating fans with his effortless cover drives and wristy flicks. This breakthrough season cemented his place as one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket, proving he belonged on the big stage.
The 2021 season saw Padikkal elevate his game further, etching his name in the IPL record books with a magnificent maiden century against Rajasthan Royals. His unbeaten 101 off just 52 balls, adorned with 11 fours and 6 sixes, was a masterclass in T20 batting, showcasing his ability to accelerate and dominate attacks. This innings, shared in a record-breaking 181-run opening stand with Virat Kohli, highlighted his potential to be a match-winner.
Padikkal’s playing style is characterized by his graceful left-handed technique, excellent timing, and ability to find gaps. He prefers to play straight and through the off-side, often relying on placement over brute force. While primarily an opener, he has also adapted to batting in the middle order, demonstrating versatility. However, his journey has also seen periods of adjustment, particularly when facing express pace and bounce early in his innings, a challenge he continues to work on.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL journey began with **Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)**, who picked him up for a modest INR 20 Lakhs in the 2020 auction. He repaid their faith handsomely, becoming their highest run-scorer in his debut season with 473 runs. He continued his strong form in 2021, scoring 411 runs, including his maiden IPL century, solidifying his reputation as a top-order batter for the franchise.
Following his impressive stint with RCB, Padikkal was a hot commodity in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. **Rajasthan Royals (RR)** secured his services for a significant sum of INR 7.75 Crores. With RR, he was initially tasked with opening, but later moved to the middle order to add flexibility. In 2022, he scored 376 runs, contributing to RR’s run to the final. The 2023 season saw him score 261 runs, often playing a crucial supporting role in the middle order, showcasing his adaptability, though consistency remained a challenge.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Padikkal was part of a high-profile trade, moving from Rajasthan Royals to **Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)** in exchange for Avesh Khan. This move was anticipated to give him a fresh start and potentially a more defined role. However, the 2024 season proved challenging, as he struggled to find consistent form and a permanent spot in the playing XI, scoring 108 runs from 7 matches. Despite the dip in recent form, his talent and past performances suggest he remains a valuable asset for LSG heading into the 2026 season.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting standpoint, Devdutt Padikkal offers intriguing prospects, particularly given his elegant style and potential for big scores. His primary strength lies in his classical strokeplay and ability to build an innings. When he gets going, especially on flat, true surfaces, he can be a fantastic pick for “Total Runs – Over” bets. He’s particularly effective against spin, often using his height and reach to dominate slower bowlers, making him a good bet in matchups against teams heavily reliant on spin.
However, bettors should be aware of his weaknesses. Padikkal can sometimes be a slow starter, susceptible to genuine pace and bounce early in his innings. This makes him a riskier bet on pitches with movement or against bowling attacks featuring express pacers who can exploit his initial hesitancy. His consistency has also varied since his stellar 2020-2021 seasons, making “Player of the Match” bets a higher risk unless he’s in exceptional form.
Consider betting on Padikkal for “Most Fours” in an innings, as his game relies heavily on finding gaps and piercing the field with ground shots. If he’s opening and the pitch is batting-friendly, he’s a strong candidate for a solid start. Conversely, if he’s batting lower down the order or on a challenging pitch, betting “Total Runs – Under” might be a more strategic play. Keep an eye on his role within the team – a stable opening slot tends to yield better returns than a fluctuating middle-order position.
Key Records & Milestones
- Youngest player to score 400+ runs in a debut IPL season (473 runs in IPL 2020).
- One of the few uncapped players to score an IPL century (101* vs Rajasthan Royals, 2021).
- Part of the highest opening partnership for Royal Challengers Bangalore (181* with Virat Kohli vs RR, 2021).
- Most runs by an uncapped player in IPL 2020 (473 runs).
- Scored 5 half-centuries in his debut IPL season (2020), showcasing remarkable consistency.
IPL Season Highlights
Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL journey has been punctuated by several standout performances, none more impactful than his debut season in **IPL 2020** for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He amassed 473 runs from 15 matches, including five half-centuries, with a top score of 56. His consistent starts at the top of the order were vital for RCB, often providing the platform for their middle order. He showcased his ability to adapt to different match situations, playing both aggressively and cautiously when required, earning him the “Emerging Player of the Season” award.
The **IPL 2021** season saw Padikkal reach a significant personal milestone. While his overall run tally was slightly lower at 411 runs, it included a magnificent, unbeaten 101 off just 52 balls against his future team, Rajasthan Royals. This century, featuring 11 fours and 6 sixes, was a display of pure T20 hitting, demonstrating his capability to accelerate and dominate bowling attacks once set. This innings, shared in a record 181-run opening stand with Virat Kohli, remains a highlight of his career, proving his match-winning potential.
In **IPL 2023** with Rajasthan Royals, Padikkal, often batting in the middle order, contributed 261 runs from 11 matches. While not as prolific as his earlier seasons, he played some crucial innings, including a vital 52 against Punjab Kings. This season highlighted his adaptability to a different role, often coming in to stabilize the innings or provide quick runs when needed, showcasing his versatility beyond just opening.