Padikkal makes Vijay Hazare Trophy history
With his 91-run knock, Padikkal crossed 600 runs in the current edition of the VHT. Remarkably, he has previously scored 600-plus runs in two other seasons, making him the first player in Vijay Hazare Trophy history to achieve 600+ runs in three separate editions.
Dominating the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Since making his List A debut for Karnataka in 2018, the left-handed opener has been a force in domestic cricket. He scored 609 runs in 11 innings in the 2019–20 edition and followed that with 737 runs in eight innings in the 2020–21 season, which included four consecutive centuries.
In 2025–26, Padikkal has amassed 605 runs in just six innings, averaging an astonishing 100.83, with four centuries and a half-century. Against Rajasthan, he forged a commanding 184-run opening partnership with Mayank Agarwal, setting the foundation for Karnataka’s strong position.
Although he narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive century in five innings, his consistency continues to be remarkable. With one group-stage match remaining, Padikkal will look to extend his extraordinary run of form. He now has 13 centuries in 34 Vijay Hazare Trophy innings, trailing only Maharashtra’s Ankeet Bawane (15 in 99 matches) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (14 in 57 matches).
Making a strong case for India ODI selection
Padikkal’s List A record strengthens his claim for an India ODI spot. He averages 83.62 across 38 List A innings, the highest for any batter with 2,000+ runs in the format. Despite his exploits, he was overlooked for India’s ODI series against New Zealand.
With India’s top order dominated by established stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, opportunities are limited, leaving young talents like Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad waiting for their chance. If Padikkal continues his current form, he could make a compelling case to stake a permanent place in India’s ODI setup, ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
