RCB Star Devdutt Padikkal Gets Backed By Dinesh Karthik for National Comeback

Dinesh Karthik praises Devdutt Padikkal’s transformation, hinting at a strong return to India’s T20I middle order.

Devdutt Padikkal is emerging as a strong contender for India’s T20I middle-order role, with Dinesh Karthik backing the youngster’s resurgence. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor believes Padikkal’s recent performances make him hard to ignore for national selection.

Padikkal, who previously featured in two T20Is in 2021, has significantly evolved his game. Under Karthik’s mentorship, the 25-year-old has transformed into a more aggressive and composed batter, showing marked improvement in both intent and execution.

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Remarkable Turnaround in IPL Performances

After several underwhelming IPL seasons across different franchises, Padikkal found his rhythm with RCB last season, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 150.61. He has carried that momentum into IPL 2026, amassing 111 runs in just two matches at a stunning strike rate of 201.82.

Karthik highlighted Padikkal’s mental strength and adaptability, especially in challenging conditions.

“The first thing that stands out is his determination. On a pitch like this, when runs don’t come easily at the start, many batters try to force a big shot and end up giving their wicket away. Devdutt showed great courage to stay patient when the going was tough,” Karthik told Star Sports.

“Once he got that first boundary, you could see him switch gears. He’s playing proper cricketing shots and hitting the ball with distance. If he continues batting like this, it will be difficult to keep him out of the Indian team for long. He has scored heavily in domestic cricket, and we know he’s a quality player.”

Leadership Growth and India Team Prospects

Beyond his batting, Padikkal’s growing leadership qualities have also impressed Karthik, particularly his contributions in the Karnataka setup.

“What’s also impressive is the way he’s stepping up as a leader in the Karnataka dressing room. Even at 25, he contributes with his ideas and leadership, and that’s great to see,” Karthik added.

Despite India’s recent T20 World Cup triumph under Suryakumar Yadav, there remains room for changes in the batting lineup. With some players struggling for consistency, Padikkal’s current form could open the door for a return to the national side if he maintains his impressive performances.