Devdutt Padikkal delivered a captain’s knock in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 semi-final, scoring a magnificent 232 runs against Uttarakhand at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. His marathon innings helped Karnataka reach a massive 689/6 at the end of Day 2, putting the team in complete control of the match.
The left-handed batter showed patience, class, and control throughout his innings, facing 330 balls and hitting 29 fours and 3 sixes. This was Padikkal’s first double century in First-Class cricket, and it came at a crucial stage of the tournament.
Match Summary – Karnataka Dominate After Two Days
| Day | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Karnataka won the toss and chose to bat. KL Rahul scored 141, while Padikkal remained unbeaten on 148*. The pair added a 278-run partnership for the second wicket. Score: 355/2 |
| Day 2 | Padikkal completed his double century in 288 balls. He was later dismissed for 232. Ravichandran Smaran remained unbeaten on 121*. Karnataka finished at 689/6 |
Karnataka now hold a strong advantage, and Uttarakhand are under pressure with the possibility of a follow-on looming.
Padikkal Form Strengthens Test Comeback Chances
Padikkal has been in excellent form this domestic season. He earlier scored a century in a must-win match against Punjab and has now followed it with a match-defining double ton in the semi-final.
His consistency across formats and ability to play long innings have strengthened his case for a return to India’s Test squad, especially for the top-order positions.
Other Key Performances
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Devdutt Padikkal | 232 (330 balls) |
| KL Rahul | 141 runs |
| Ravichandran Smaran | 121* |
| Aditya Rawat (Uttarakhand) | Early wickets including Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul |
Uttarakhand’s young pacer Aditya Rawat provided early breakthroughs, but the bowling unit struggled to maintain pressure as Karnataka’s batters dominated the innings.
With a huge first-innings total already on the board, Karnataka are in a strong position to push for a place in the Ranji Trophy final. The focus now shifts to Day 3, where Uttarakhand’s batting will be tested against scoreboard pressure.
Padikkal’s innings has not only put Karnataka ahead in the match but also highlighted his growing maturity as a leader and top-order batter. The performance has drawn widespread praise and could prove to be a turning point in his red-ball career.
