The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season has been a golden run for Karnataka and Royal Challengers Bangalore batter Devdutt Padikkal, who continues to score consistently in every match. In the quarter-final against Mumbai, Padikkal played another match-winning innings, helping Karnataka secure a 55-run victory via the VJD method. He was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 81, which included 11 boundaries.
A Record-Breaking Season for Padikkal
The 25-year-old Padikkal has amassed 721 runs in 8 matches this season, becoming the first player in Vijay Hazare Trophy history to score over 700 runs in two separate seasons. In the 2025-26 season alone, he has scored 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries.
While players like Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, N Jagadeesan, and Karun Nair have previously scored 700+ runs in a single Vijay Hazare Trophy season, Padikkal now holds the unique distinction of achieving this milestone in two different seasons.
Quarter-Final Drama: Karnataka vs Mumbai
Karnataka won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mumbai posted 254/8 in their 50 overs, with Shams Mulani top-scoring with 86 runs. Karnataka’s Vidyadhar Patil took 3 wickets, while Viddhavath Kaverappa and Abhilash Shetty picked 2 wickets each. Vishyak Vijay Kumar claimed 1 wicket.
Chasing 255, Karnataka had scored 187/1 in 33 overs when rain interrupted play. The match was subsequently decided using the VJD method, awarding Karnataka a 55-run victory. Padikkal’s unbeaten 81 was complemented by Karun Nair’s 74*, which featured 11 boundaries. The only wicket to fall for Mumbai was taken by Mohit Awasthi.
Devdutt Padikkal’s remarkable consistency this season has not only steered Karnataka to the semi-finals but also cemented his place in domestic cricket history.
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