Devdutt Padikkal Biography: Age, Family, IPL Career, Stats & Rise to India

Devdutt Padikkal Biography is not just the identity of a talented cricketer, it is the story of a batsman who, despite adversity, has carved a place for himself in Indian cricket by maintaining his classical batting style. Known for his tall build, left-handed batting and excellent strokeplay, Padikkal first caught the eye in the IPL for RCB, and later opened his doors to the Indian national team again with consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Today, his journey has gained even more attention after he showed his ability to handle the important No. 3 position in Test cricket. His rise, success, difficult times and the path to reaching the Indian team—this entire journey shows how far talent, as well as consistency and patience, can take a cricketer. Now let’s take a look at the complete story of Devdutt Padikkal’s rise to international cricket from childhood.

Devdutt Padikkal Early Life and Family Background

Born on 7 July 2000 in Edappal, Kerala, Devdutt Padikkal’s cricket journey began with a deep love for sports from a young age. His talent was quickly recognized by his family. Although he was once a keen fan of football, cricket became his main goal in life at the age of about 9. His family soon realized that turning that early passion into a professional career would require both encouragement and important sacrifices.

While living in Hyderabad, Padikkal started cricket training at a young age and also practiced with Ambati Rayudu’s uncle for a while. But in search of a better cricketing environment, his family moved to Bengaluru in 2011. This decision became one of the most important turning points in his life.

In Bengaluru, Padikkal continued his studies at Army Public School and started formal training at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) at the age of just 10. From here, the early years of his Devdutt Padikkal Age gradually progressed towards serious cricket development. The move to Bengaluru gave him the right environment to develop his skills and take his cricket more seriously. 

No one in his Devdutt Padikkal Family was a professional cricketer. However, his father Babunu Kunnath, mother Ambili Padikkal and other family members always supported his love for cricket. With his father’s decision and mother’s support, Padikkal was able to move forward with cricket from a young age.

Padikkal’s early life is a beautiful example of how much family can play a big role in turning a child’s love for cricket into a future career. That new beginning in Bengaluru later led him on the path of competitive cricket and laid the foundation for making his mark in Indian cricket.

Devdutt Padikkal Education and Early Cricket Journey

Born on 7 July 2000, Padikkal showed a keen interest in cricket from an early age. His father Babunu Kunnath recognized his son’s talent at a very young age. Although the family initially moved to Hyderabad, they moved to Bengaluru in 2011 for a better cricketing environment. This decision became the first major turning point in his cricketing career.

After coming to Bengaluru, his studies became important along with cricket. He studied at Army Public School and later at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, a school with which his childhood idol Rahul Dravid is also associated. Despite his busy schedule in cricket, he did not neglect his studies. Later, he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce. This aspect of Devdutt Padikkal’s education shows that he gave importance to his academic life along with cricket.

His organised training in cricket began at the age of 10, when he joined the Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC). He developed his batting technique through long net practice under coaches Irfan Sait and Mohammed Naseeruddin. He then gradually made his way to the Karnataka Under-16 and Under-19 teams. His progression was slow but steady—his performance at each level earned him the next opportunity.

A brilliant innings of 72 runs off 53 balls for Bellary Tuskers in the Karnataka Premier League in 2017 brought him to the bigger stage. He also won the KPL Emerging Player award for that performance. Then on 28 November 2018, at the age of just 18, he made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. From here, Padikkal, a promising batter in junior cricket, gradually started becoming an important name in senior competitive cricket.

The 2019-20 white-ball season brought another big change in his career. He proved his consistency in domestic cricket with 609 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. From junior cricket to state-level cricket, KPL and then first-class and senior domestic cricket—Padikkal’s journey was the story of a hard-working cricketer who built himself up step by step.

Devdutt Padikkal Domestic Cricket Career

Devdutt Padikkal’s journey into senior domestic cricket began in late 2018 in the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka. After making his first-class debut against Maharashtra in November 2018, he gradually made his mark in the white-ball format as well as red-ball cricket. A List A debut in September 2019 and a T20 debut in November 2019 further expanded his domestic career. His tall build, left-handed batting and ability to play on-the-rise shots against pace quickly made him an eye-catching top-order batter.

Padikkal’s domestic career took a major turn in the 2019–20 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He became the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 609 runs in 11 matches and helped Karnataka win the trophy. His run-scoring streak did not stop in just one season. He became the first Indian batsman to score four consecutive List A centuries in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy. During this time, his batting matured and his reputation in domestic cricket grew rapidly.

Padikkal also proved his mettle in red-ball cricket. A big innings of 178 runs against Puducherry in 2022 showed his batting depth. Then, important red-ball performances for India A against Australia A brought him closer to the senior international setup. Along with his consistent run-scoring in domestic cricket, his captaincy of Karnataka in the 2025–26 season was also a big indication of his growing stature.

However, his career momentum increased further after his breakthrough in the IPL. In 2020, he won the Emerging Player Award for scoring 473 runs in his debut season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The consistency of domestic cricket and this performance in the IPL together brought him to the attention of the national selectors. Then, based on his performances in India A and his consistent output in domestic cricket, he got the opportunity to make his T20I debut in 2021 and later made it to the Test squad.

His steady progress from age-group cricket to senior domestic cricket eventually opened the door to the India setup. His path was not a one-day success—a steady rise built on years of runs, records and important innings.

Devdutt Padikkal IPL Career and Breakthrough

Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL journey began in 2019, when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a base price of ₹20 lakh. He didn’t make his IPL debut that season, but spending time with stars like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the RCB dressing room was a valuable experience for him. A year later, the wait paid off.

Padikkal, who made his IPL debut in 2020 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, showed that he was ready to play on the big stage. He started with a confident innings of 56 runs off 42 balls and scored half-centuries in three of the first four matches. He became one of RCB’s most important batsmen, scoring 473 runs in 15 matches throughout the UAE season and won the Emerging Player of the Season award. This performance established him not only as a promising youngster but also as a known top-order batsman in the IPL.

His form continued in the 2021 season as well. He scored his maiden IPL century by scoring an unbeaten 101* off just 52 balls against Rajasthan Royals and helped RCB to a 10-wicket victory. His consistency became even more evident by scoring more than 400 runs in the second consecutive season. Those performances strengthened his reputation as one of India’s promising young top-order batters. 

Padikkal’s IPL career took a new turn after the 2022 mega auction. Rajasthan Royals picked him up for ₹7.75 crore. However, it was not easy for him to maintain his natural rhythm as he batted in the middle order instead of his preferred opening position. Despite scoring 376 runs in 2022 and 261 runs in 2023, he could not make the same impact as he had in the previous two seasons. Nevertheless, this period gave him valuable experience in adapting to different batting positions and match situations.

Although he played for Lucknow Super Giants in 2024, the season was not very comfortable for him. Opportunities were limited and he had to struggle to find his best rhythm. Then in 2025, RCB brought him back to the team for ₹2 crore. Returning to the franchise where his IPL journey began was a kind of homecoming for Padikkal. This opportunity to regain his batting identity and confidence became another important chapter in his career.

In the 2026 season, Padikkal again introduced his attacking batting for RCB and made important contributions in the top order. His 464 runs and 168.73 strike rate in the season show that he has been able to showcase his aggressive approach and scoring ability in a new way after going through a difficult few seasons.

This entire journey has made Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL Career not just a success story but a cricketing journey of ups and downs, adaptation and comeback. From his debut season’s 473 runs to his maiden century, franchise change, middle-order challenge and finally his big innings back at RCB—each step has shaped him. His season-by-season performances show how each stage of his IPL career has shaped him as a batter.

Devdutt Padikkal’s Journey to International Cricket

After consistent performances in domestic cricket and IPL, Devdutt Padikkal finally got a chance in India’s international setup. He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka on 28 July 2021. At that time, the main Indian team was on a tour of England, so young and emerging players were given a chance in the Sri Lanka tour. Padikkal’s impressive performance in the previous two IPL seasons and consistent runs in domestic cricket earned him that opportunity.

However, his start in international cricket was not very long. In that tour in 2021, he played only two T20Is and scored a total of 38 runs. After that, although he was a bit away from the national team, his domestic performances kept him in the news again. His excellent batting in the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy brought him to the door of the Test squad.

Padikkal made his Test debut in the Dharamsala Test against England in 2024. After coming into the squad as an injury replacement for KL Rahul, he finally got a chance in the playing XI in place of Rajat Patidar. He handled the pressure of debut and scored 65 runs off 103 balls and built a 97-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan. His controlled strokeplay and ability to bat according to the situation made those innings even more remarkable. Such a calm and confident start to Test cricket after his T20I debut became a great testament to his batting maturity.

After that, the path to maintaining a regular place in the national team was not easy. But despite waiting for an opportunity, Padikkal maintained his form in domestic cricket and also worked on his batting technique. That patience paid off in the Test series against Sri Lanka in 2026. He got a chance again in the XI due to Sai Sudharsan’s injury, batting at No. 3 position and played a remarkable innings of 167 runs off 230 balls in Galle. He further increased his impact by scoring 44 runs in the second innings.

This Test century took Padikkal’s international journey to a new height. From a young batsman who had played only two T20Is to returning to the Test XI as an injury replacement and scoring big centuries—his journey was a story of waiting for opportunities, overcoming setbacks and proving himself when the opportunity arose. Thus, Devdutt Padikkal’s India Career has evolved from a success in domestic cricket to a patient journey to make a mark in international cricket.

Devdutt Padikkal’s Recent Performance and Rise to India

Devdutt Padikkal has once again become the talk of the town in Indian cricket with a remarkable Test performance. In the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, due to Sai Sudharsan’s injury, Padikkal made the most of the opportunity at No. 3 position. In the first innings, he not only completed his maiden Test hundred by scoring a composed century of 167 runs off 230 balls, but also created a new discussion about his place in the Indian top order.

The biggest aspect of this innings was his batting with an understanding of the situation. Padikkal stayed at the crease for a long time against the Sri Lankan spin with footwork, back-foot shots and controlled strokeplay. After an innings of 167 runs, he also scored 44 runs off 75 balls in the second innings. As a result, his match tally in one Test stands at 211 runs, which makes his comeback even more remarkable.

Another special aspect of Padikkal’s performance is its timing. He made a new record by becoming the first Indian batsman to score a Test century on Independence Day with a century on 15 August. He also entered the record books as the second left-handed batsman to score a Test century at No. 3 position for India in the 21st century. This achievement did not limit his innings to a personal milestone.

His recent form was also important behind this breakthrough. After scoring an unbeaten 142 in the tour warm-up match against Sri Lanka, he brought his confidence to the Test series. After batting consistently in domestic cricket and the IPL, Padikkal has shown through such big innings on the international stage that he is ready to handle greater responsibilities when given the opportunity.

That is why Devdutt Padikkal’s Recent Performance and Rise to India is not just a comeback story; it has also raised new questions about the top-order selection of Indian Test cricket. Padikkal has firmly re-entered the discussion of India’s red-ball plans by capitalising on his long-awaited opportunity with scores of 167 and 44.

Devdutt Padikkal Stats and Career Records

To understand Devdutt Padikkal’s career, it is important to look at his numbers across formats. While his sample size in international cricket is still small, he has proven his batting ability over a long period of time in domestic cricket and the IPL. His exceptional average in List-A cricket in particular and his performance in his debut season in the IPL are among the most notable aspects of his career. The numbers below provide a snapshot of his international, IPL and domestic career.

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	Highest Score	50s	100s
Test	3	5	301	60.20	—	167	1	1
ODI	0	0	0	—	—	—	0	0
T20I	2	2	38	19.00	100.00	29	0	0
IPL	90	89	2,270	26.71	133.14	101*	14	1

Domestic Cricket

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Highest Score	50s	100s
First-Class	56	3,800	43.18	232	21	9
List-A	42	2,796	82.24	152	14	13
Domestic T20	131	3,826	32.42	124*	24	4

Among his career records, the most notable is his 473 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2020 IPL season, winning the Emerging Player of the Season award. He also scored his maiden IPL century by scoring an unbeaten 101* off just 52 balls against Rajasthan Royals in 2021. A batting average of over 80 and 13 centuries in the List-A format of domestic cricket are a testament to his consistency.

Major Career Records

Record	Achievement
IPL Emerging Player	Won the award in 2020 after scoring 473 runs
Maiden IPL Century	101* off 52 balls vs Rajasthan Royals in 2021
Test Debut	Scored 65 against England in March 2024
List-A Record	Maintained a batting average above 80
Test Debut Milestone	Scored a half-century on Test debut

Overall, Devdutt Padikkal’s records show that the greatest strength of his career lies in his run-scoring consistency not just in one format, but in domestic and franchise cricket over a long period of time. While his journey in international cricket is still in its developing stage, these numbers provide a solid foundation for his future potential.

Devdutt Padikkal Height, Age and Personal Details

The following information is enough to know the basic profile of Devdutt Padikkal at a glance. Starting from his age, height, birthplace and playing style to the teams he currently plays for—all the important personal details are given here in brief.

Profile Attribute

Player Information

Full Name

Devdutt Babunu Padikkal

Date of Birth

July 7, 2000

Age

26 years

Birthplace

Edappal, Malappuram district, Kerala, India

Height

1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)

Batting Style

Left-handed

Playing Role

Top-order batter

Bowling Style

Right-arm off break

International Teams

India (Test, T20I)

Domestic Teams

Karnataka, India U19, India A, South Zone, India D

IPL Teams

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants

Padikkal’s profile includes his height and age, which are particularly interesting to readers. At around 6 feet 3 inches, his height gives him good reach and helps him play a wide range of shots. At 26, he still has plenty of time to establish himself further in international cricket. 

Devdutt Padikkal Family, Lifestyle and Off-Field Life

Off the cricket field, Devdutt Padikkal prefers to keep his personal life quite private. His family consists of father Babunu Kunnath, mother Ambili Padikkal and elder sister Chandni Padikkal. Family support has been an important part of his cricketing life since childhood, especially when he moved to Bengaluru to train regularly for cricket.

Padikkal’s life is also deeply connected to Bengaluru. It is here that he studied and built his cricketing foundation by training at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC). Off the field, he does not make his personal affairs public and mainly prioritizes cricket, fitness and professional commitments. Away from cricket, he generally keeps his personal life private and remains focused on his professional career.

Conclusion

From Edappal to Bengaluru, from age-group cricket to Karnataka, and from consistent performances in domestic cricket to the big stage of the IPL—Devdutt Padikkal’s journey has never been straightforward. His breakthrough season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2020 brought him into the national spotlight, after which opportunities in India A and the senior team opened the door to international cricket.

The path after his debut in Test cricket was not easy again. But returning to domestic cricket, consistently building himself up and playing big innings when given a chance has brought him back into India’s talk. His maiden Test century against Sri Lanka is a great proof of that persistence.

Today his career is not just a story of runs, records or statistics; It is a story of patience, setbacks, preparation and capitalizing on opportunity. His biography is therefore still being written, with many more chapters of his international career yet to come.