Devdutt Padikkal added another chapter to an already impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy story, becoming the first batter to score 600-plus runs in three different seasons of India’s premier domestic one-day competition. The milestone came during Karnataka’s Elite Group match against Rajasthan at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad and highlighted a season of remarkable consistency for the left-hander.
A record third 600-plus season
Padikkal’s run in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy has been prolific. By surpassing the 600-run mark this season, he joined an exclusive company and set a new benchmark in the tournament’s history. This feat underlines not just his ability to score big but to do so repeatedly across multiple campaigns.
Vijay Hazare journey built on consistency
Padikkal first announced himself in the 2019–20 edition, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 609 runs. He followed that up with a breathtaking 2020–21 campaign, piling up 737 runs at an extraordinary average and smothering opposition bowling attacks with a string of big scores.
In 2025–26 he continued that rich vein of form, producing three centuries of 147, 124 and 113 and stringing together a run of seven consecutive 50-plus scores. His conversion rate and temperament in the middle overs have become hallmarks of his List A game.
Vijay Hazare Trophy — 600+ seasons (summary)
| Season | Innings | Runs | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 11 | 609 | 2 | 5 |
| 2020-21 | 7 | 737 | 4 | 3 |
| 2025-26 | 6 (one not out) | 605 | 4 | 1 |
Match-winning knock against Rajasthan
In Ahmedabad, Padikkal again played a key role for Karnataka. Opening the innings, he made 91 off 82 balls, striking 12 fours and two sixes. He and captain Mayank Agarwal put on a commanding opening stand of 184, putting Karnataka in control from the outset after Rajasthan elected to bowl first.
Padikkal’s innings combined controlled strokeplay with the ability to accelerate when needed — a template that has repeatedly paid dividends for Karnataka throughout the tournament.
Implications for India and IPL 2026
Padikkal’s domestic form keeps him firmly in the conversation for a return to India colours. Having featured in two Test matches and a pair of T20Is for the national side already, a prolific Vijay Hazare season could reopen doors for limited-overs selection.
On the franchise front, Padikkal heads into IPL 2026 with momentum. He has been retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru after missing large parts of the previous season due to a hamstring injury, and this run of form will boost his confidence ahead of the T20 campaign.
Where he goes from here
Consistency has been Padikkal’s strongest suit in List A cricket. If he continues to convert starts into big scores and sustain this form, national selectors and IPL franchises will find it hard to overlook him. For now, Karnataka will rely on his runs as they push deeper into the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while fans and pundits watch to see whether this domestic dominance can translate into another shot at international cricket.