There are IPL innings that win a match, and then there are innings that change how a player is viewed. Devdutt Padikkal has produced both. From his eye-catching debut season in 2020 to his unbeaten 101 against Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and his explosive return to RCB in 2026, the left-hander’s IPL journey has had several distinct chapters. His numbers now tell an even bigger story: after 90 IPL matches, Padikkal has accumulated 2,270 runs, including one century and 14 fifties.
Quick Summary
Key takeaways
- Padikkal made an immediate impact in IPL 2020, scoring 473 runs in 15 innings for RCB and winning the Emerging Player award.
- His most famous IPL innings remains 101 against Rajasthan Royals in 2021*, his maiden IPL century.
- His 74 off 45 against Mumbai Indians in 2020 showcased how dangerous he could be against a world-class attack.
- His 2026 comeback season produced 464 runs at a strike rate of 168.73, his most aggressive IPL campaign.
- Padikkal’s IPL career has taken him through RCB, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, before his return to RCB.
- As of 2026, he has 2,270 IPL runs, 14 fifties and one century.Devdutt Padikkal’s Best IPL Innings: The Knocks That Stand Out
Padikkal’s career is interesting because his best innings have not all looked alike. Some were technically controlled, others were power-hitting exhibitions, and a few came at moments when his team needed him to change the tempo of a chase.
1. 101* vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2021
If one innings belongs at the top of any list of Devdutt Padikkal’s best IPL innings, it is the unbeaten 101 against Rajasthan Royals on April 22, 2021.
RCB were chasing 178, and Padikkal turned what could have been a demanding chase into a one-sided contest. He finished unbeaten on 101, while Virat Kohli remained not out at the other end. RCB reached the target without losing a wicket, winning by 10 wickets. It was Padikkal’s first IPL century and remains his highest IPL score.
The significance went beyond the number 101. Padikkal had already shown in 2020 that he belonged at IPL level. This innings demonstrated that he could also dominate an entire chase from start to finish.
His century was especially memorable because of the partnership with Kohli. Rather than simply surviving while an established star took control, Padikkal was the aggressor for long stretches. That combination of left-handed stroke play and composure made the innings one of the defining moments of his early career.
2. 74 off 45 vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2020
Before the century came the innings that helped establish Padikkal as one of the breakout batters of IPL 2020.
Against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi, Padikkal smashed 74 from 45 balls, including 12 fours and a six. He also added 71 runs for the opening wicket with Josh Philippe.
The context matters. Mumbai had one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament, and Jasprit Bumrah eventually dismissed Padikkal. But by then, the young opener had already demonstrated his ability to score quickly without appearing rushed.
The 74 was not just boundary hitting. It showed Padikkal’s preference for finding gaps and punishing anything offered in his scoring areas. For a debut-season batter, that balance was striking.
3. 61 off 26 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2026
Padikkal’s 2026 season began with an innings that looked very different from his early IPL performances.
Returning to RCB, he came in as an Impact Player during the chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad. RCB needed 202 to win, but Padikkal attacked immediately. He reached his fifty in just 21 balls before finishing with 61 from 26 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, at a remarkable strike rate of 234.62. RCB chased the target in only 15.4 overs.
This innings is significant because it illustrated a clear evolution in his T20 batting.
Earlier in his career, Padikkal’s strength was often associated with timing, placement and classical left-handed stroke play. In 2026, the power component became much more obvious. He was prepared to take aerial options earlier in an innings and attack bowlers rather than simply build a conventional opening-platform innings.
Padikkal himself credited RCB’s management and technical work for helping him develop that approach.
4. 55 off 27 vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2026
Another important 2026 performance came against Gujarat Titans. Padikkal struck 55 from 27 balls, contributing to a 115-run partnership with Virat Kohli. The innings was his third fifty of the season at that point and underlined how much his scoring rate had changed.
There is an interesting pattern here. Padikkal did not need 50 balls to construct his innings. He was increasingly able to turn a start into a match-shaping contribution within a short period.
That is particularly valuable in modern T20 cricket, where a batter who can score at 150-plus without losing his shape gives the middle order considerably more freedom.
5. 50 off 29 vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2026
Padikkal’s other early-season half-century in 2026 came against Chennai Super Kings. He made 50 from 29 balls, following the 61 against SRH and reinforcing the impression that this was a more aggressive version of the batter RCB had first signed years earlier.
Taken together, the 61, 50 and 55 showed consistency of intent even when the individual scores were not enormous.
That distinction matters. A batter does not have to score 100 every time to influence a T20 match. Sometimes a 25-ball 45 can be more valuable than a slower 70, depending on the target and match situation.
How Did Devdutt Padikkal Break Into the IPL?
Padikkal’s rise was built before his first IPL appearance. Born in Edapal, Kerala, he developed through Karnataka’s cricket system and impressed in age-group and domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut for Karnataka during the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season and scored a stroke-filled 77 on debut against Maharashtra.
RCB acquired him before the 2019 season, and his breakthrough came the following year.
The 2020 IPL was an extraordinary introduction. Padikkal played 15 innings and scored 473 runs at 31.53 with a strike rate of 124.80, hitting five fifties. Those numbers were strong enough to earn him the Emerging Player award.
What made the season stand out was not just the aggregate. Padikkal immediately looked comfortable opening against experienced IPL bowling attacks. He repeatedly gave RCB useful starts and became one of the team’s most dependable run-scorers.
For a player entering the tournament with no IPL experience, 473 runs was a major statement.
Devdutt Padikkal IPL Career: From Breakthrough to Reinvention
After his sensational debut season, Padikkal followed it with another productive campaign.
In IPL 2021, he scored 411 runs in 14 innings, including his unbeaten century against Rajasthan Royals. His season average was 31.62 and his strike rate was 125.30.
He moved to Rajasthan Royals for the 2022 season and made 376 runs in 17 matches. In 2023, he scored 261 runs before moving to Lucknow Super Giants for 2024. That 2024 campaign was difficult, with only 38 runs in seven innings.
The low point makes the later resurgence more interesting.
Padikkal returned to RCB for IPL 2025 and scored 247 runs at a strike rate of 150.61. He then produced his strongest strike-rate season in 2026, finishing with 464 runs at 168.73.
That 2026 number deserves particular attention. Padikkal hit 49 fours and 24 sixes, a significant increase in his boundary-hitting output compared with his early seasons.
IPL Career Stats at a Glance
| Season | Team | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | RCB | 473 | 74 | 124.80 |
| 2021 | RCB | 411 | 101* | 125.30 |
| 2022 | RR | 376 | 54 | 122.88 |
| 2023 | RR | 261 | 52 | 130.50 |
| 2024 | LSG | 38 | 13 | 71.70 |
| 2025 | RCB | 247 | 61 | 150.61 |
| 2026 | RCB | 464 | 61 | 168.73 |
Stats through the end of IPL 2026.
The table reveals something that a simple career-run total does not: Padikkal’s batting has changed.
His first two major IPL seasons were built around consistency and timing. His later seasons, particularly 2025 and 2026, show a much greater willingness to attack.
What Makes Padikkal’s Batting Effective?
Padikkal is a left-hander with a naturally attractive stroke-making game, but his value has never depended solely on aesthetics.
One of his biggest strengths is his ability to score through the off side and mid-wicket while maintaining a relatively conventional batting base. When his feet are moving well, he can use the pace of the bowler rather than manufacture every boundary.
His 2026 performances suggest another layer has been added: greater intent against pace and a willingness to take calculated risks earlier in an innings.
That development is particularly visible in the contrast between his 2020 strike rate of 124.80 and his 2026 strike rate of 168.73.
It is also worth remembering that strike rate alone does not tell the whole story. A batter’s role changes with team composition, batting position, pitch conditions and match situation. Padikkal’s evolution is better understood as a change in how quickly he is prepared to access his scoring options.
In other words, the batter who once built an innings through timing has increasingly shown that he can manufacture pressure through power.
Beyond the IPL: Padikkal’s Wider Cricket Career
Although the IPL has been central to Padikkal’s rise, his career is not limited to franchise cricket.
He became an important domestic batter for Karnataka and produced substantial first-class and List A performances. In the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season, he scored his maiden first-class century, making 178 against Puducherry.
His domestic consistency eventually led to India opportunities.
Padikkal made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka in July 2021 and later made his Test debut against England in Dharamsala in March 2024. His Test debut innings produced 65, another significant milestone in his career.
His international story gained another major chapter in August 2026, when he scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle. He went on to make 167, an innings that drew praise for his handling of spin and helped India post a formidable first-innings total.
That achievement puts his IPL career in a broader context. Padikkal is not simply a franchise batter who has had a few successful seasons. His development across domestic cricket, the IPL and international cricket shows a player who has repeatedly had to adapt to different demands.
Why 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for Devdutt Padikkal
The most interesting part of Padikkal’s story may be what comes next.
His 2026 IPL campaign produced 464 runs at a strike rate of 168.73, while his return to Test cricket produced his maiden century.
Those are two very different achievements.
The IPL numbers show acceleration and power. The Test century showed patience, technique and the ability to solve a spin-heavy challenge over a long innings. That combination is valuable because it suggests his game is becoming less format-dependent.
Padikkal’s career has also had its share of setbacks. The 2024 IPL season was particularly difficult, and his path back to consistent opportunities was not automatic. His response has been one of the more compelling parts of his career.
For young cricketers, there is a useful lesson here: early success can get you noticed, but adaptability is what keeps a career moving.
Padikkal’s first IPL season made people notice him. His later reinvention may determine how far he goes.
Devdutt Padikkal Career Highlights at a Glance
Here are the milestones that best define his career so far:
- 2018-19: Made his first-class debut for Karnataka and scored 77 against Maharashtra.
- IPL 2020: Scored 473 runs for RCB and won the Emerging Player award.
- IPL 2021: Scored his maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 101 against Rajasthan Royals.
- 2022: Joined Rajasthan Royals after the IPL auction and scored 376 runs.
- 2024: Made his Test debut for India against England.
- 2025: Returned to RCB and scored 247 runs at a strike rate above 150.
- IPL 2026: Scored 464 runs at a strike rate of 168.73, including three fifties.
- 2026 Test cricket: Scored his maiden Test century and finished with 167 against Sri Lanka.
- Current IPL career: 90 matches, 2,270 runs, 14 fifties and one century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Devdutt Padikkal’s highest IPL score?
Devdutt Padikkal’s highest IPL score is 101 not out, scored for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021. It was also his maiden IPL century and came in a 10-wicket RCB victory.
How many runs did Devdutt Padikkal score in IPL 2020?
Padikkal scored 473 runs in 15 innings for RCB during IPL 2020, including five half-centuries. His performance earned him the Emerging Player award.
How many IPL runs has Devdutt Padikkal scored?
At the end of IPL 2026, Padikkal had scored 2,270 runs in 90 IPL matches, with a career-best 101 not out, 14 fifties and one century.
What was Devdutt Padikkal’s best IPL season?
By total runs, IPL 2020 remains Padikkal’s best season with 473 runs. However, his 2026 campaign was his most aggressive, producing 464 runs at a career-best seasonal strike rate of 168.73.
Conclusion
Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL career has never been a straight line. It began with a spectacular 473-run debut season, reached its early peak with the unbeaten 101 against Rajasthan Royals, dipped during a difficult 2024 campaign, and then accelerated again with his return to RCB.
The numbers from 2026 are especially encouraging: 464 runs at a strike rate of 168.73, followed by a maiden Test century later in the year.
For now, the clearest takeaway is simple: Padikkal has shown that he can reinvent his game without losing the timing and technique that made him an IPL standout in the first place. His best innings may already be memorable—but his career suggests there could be better ones still to come.
