Devdutt Padikkal, the star batter of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), made headlines with his outstanding performance in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy semifinal match between Karnataka and Uttarakhand. On February 16, Padikkal achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring his maiden first-class double century at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
In the 107th over of Karnataka’s first innings, Padikkal reached his double century milestone. The left-hander displayed great composure and skill throughout his innings, eventually reaching 232 runs off 330 balls, including three sixes and 29 fours. The moment he completed his century, Padikkal raised his bat to the sky in gratitude, with his teammates and support staff applauding his exceptional performance.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of Padikkal’s achievement on social media, captioning it as a “captain’s masterpiece.” The post highlighted the special moment when Padikkal reached his double ton, showcasing the talent and class of the young cricketer.
Prior to his double century, Padikkal had already showcased his form with an unbeaten 120 against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. With a total of 532 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 66.50, including two centuries and one fifty, Padikkal has been a standout performer in the tournament.
Looking ahead, Padikkal will aim to continue his sublime form for RCB in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Retained by the franchise for INR 2 crore, Padikkal is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s campaign. In the previous season, he scored 247 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 150.60 before being sidelined due to an injury.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy semifinal match, Karnataka’s dominance was further highlighted by KL Rahul’s impressive batting performance. Rahul contributed 141 runs off 211 deliveries, complementing Padikkal’s double century. Together, they led Karnataka to a commanding position against Uttarakhand, with Karun Nair also making a valuable contribution with 60 runs off 105 balls.
As Karnataka continued their strong performance, reaching 502/5 after 122 overs, the team’s prospects in the semifinal match looked promising. Having defeated Mumbai in the previous round to reach the semifinals, Karnataka’s form has been exceptional, with the team showcasing their batting prowess against Uttarakhand.
With the Ranji Trophy semifinals heating up, cricket enthusiasts can follow live scores and updates to stay updated on the latest developments in the tournament. The competition between Karnataka, Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, and other top teams promises exciting cricket action and intense battles on the field.
In conclusion, Devdutt Padikkal’s double century and Karnataka’s dominant display in the Ranji Trophy semifinal match exemplify the talent and determination of the players. As the tournament progresses, cricket fans can expect more thrilling moments and exceptional performances from the top teams competing for the prestigious title.
