Devdutt Padikkal destroyed Virat Kohli’s record, looks for a place in the CT team with his performances
Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal has achieved a huge feat in the history of List A cricket. He surpassed Indian national cricket team batsmen Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli to become the batsman with the highest average in the format among batsmen with at least 2,000 runs.
Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal achieved the feat during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 semi-final against Haryana on Wednesday (January 15). The match between these two teams took place at the newly built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Devdutt Padikkal achieved 7th consecutive half-century in List A cricket
Padikkal made his 7th consecutive half-century in List-A cricket by playing a magnificent innings to take his team to the final of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. His innings helped Karnataka post a total of 238 runs and take a step forward to the final.
Padikkal, who scored an incredible century in the quarter-finals, played another half-century in the tournament. He played a magnificent knock of 86 runs off 113 balls. The southpaw batted at a strike rate of around 77 and also hit 8 fours and 1 six.
Devdutt Padikkal completed 2000 runs in List A cricket, surpassing the averages of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli
This also saw Padikkal complete 2000 runs in List A cricket and what caught the attention of many was the average with which he completed the milestone. The left-hander averages 82.38, the highest in the format. He is now ahead of runner-up Ruturaj Gaikwad (58.16) and several other modern-day greats such as Michael Bevan (57.86), Virat Kohli (57.05) and AB de Villiers (53.47).
Padikkal also equaled his streak of seven fifty-plus knocks in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also achieved the same feat during the 2021-22 tournament season. His current scores are: 86, 102, 114, 93*, 70, 117 and 71*
Devdutt Padikkal, who played just one match for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has now strengthened his case for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The young batsman will battle it out for the back-up opener/top batsman spot with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
It’s a format I enjoy batting in, whenever I come back to bat for Karnataka it’s always a pleasure – Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal spoke about the innings, saying he enjoys playing List-A cricket. He spoke about his partnership with Smarana, saying it was important for them to take singles. The batsman also expressed his disappointment at not getting a ton. Speaking after the game, he said:
“It’s a format I enjoy batting in, whenever I come back to bat for Karnataka it’s always a pleasure. Watch me get on the front foot, I kept low and me and Smaran managed to get a single and keep the scorecard going.
“Try to move your body towards the ball, if you’re hanging back you’re going to be in trouble and I felt that he [Smaran] went through that phase nicely. It’s always great to have that [100]but as long as Karnataka wins, I am happy.”
