Devdutt Padikkal extended his purple streak in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 by writing history and adding his name to the record books. The Karnataka opener became the first batter to amass more than 700 runs in a single Vijay Hazare Trophy season on two occasions.
Padikkal has been on fire this season. The 25-year-old has scored 721 runs at an average of more than 100 in eight matches. Although other batsmen such as Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Narayan Jagadeesan, and Karun Nair have 700 runs in a season to their name, Padikkal is the only player with two of them.
The left-hander began the quarter-final 60 runs short of 700 in the season and reached there in Karnataka’s chase’s 24th over. His unbeaten 81 from 95 balls not only helped him reach that milestone but also brought the Player of the Match award his way.
Karnataka had elected to bowl earlier in the encounter. Mumbai slumped to 254 for 8 in their allocated 50 overs thanks to Vidyadhar Patil and his attacks with figures of 3/42. Vidwath Kaverappa and Abhilash Shetty scalped two wickets each. Mumbai never got going after an impressive start and lost four wickets in the first 18 overs. Shams Mulani struck a fine 86 from 91 balls and skipper Siddhesh Lad made 38.
In reply, Karnataka lost captain Mayank Agarwal for 12 early, but Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair sealed the matter without any hiccups. The pair would never be separated. Padikkal struck 11 fours and Nair made 74 off 80 balls. Rain and poor light brought a premature end to the match with Karnataka comfortably placed at 187/1 in 33 overs, comfortably ahead of the required rate, handing them a 55-run win by the VJD method.
