Duleep Trophy 2024: Devdutt Padikkal wants to play Test cricket for India

Devdutt Padikkal is eagerly anticipating a standout performance in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, aiming to secure a place in India’s Test middle order. The talented southpaw made his Test debut earlier this year in Dharamsala against England, where he made an impressive mark with a 65 off 103 balls in his only innings. His innings was marked by elegance, featuring 10 boundaries and a six. At just 24 years old, Padikkal has been selected to represent Team D in the forthcoming Duleep Trophy, which is set to commence on Thursday, September 5. He will be playing under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who led his team to an Indian Premier League (IPL) title. This opportunity provides Padikkal with another platform to showcase his skills in the red-ball format.

Padikkal’s performance in domestic cricket has been stellar, particularly during the last Ranji Trophy season, where he amassed 556 runs in just four matches at an impressive average of over 93. His campaign included three centuries, highlighting his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. With this strong form, Padikkal is keen to continue his success in the Duleep Trophy and strengthen his bid for a permanent spot in India’s Test lineup. His focus remains on translating his domestic success into consistent performances on the international stage.

"Yes, the Duleep Trophy is a very important tournament. You don't get too many opportunities at the highest level, so it's crucial that I continue to score runs," Devdutt Padikkal was quoted as saying by India Today.

"Going into that game, I felt ready. I felt like I had earned that spot. Playing a lot of domestic cricket and scoring heavily in the Ranji Trophy gave me the confidence to perform," he added.

Devdutt Padikkal is currently showcasing his talent in the ongoing Maharaja Trophy 2024, where he is representing the Gulbarga Mystics in the T20 tournament taking place in Bengaluru. This season, Padikkal has adopted a more aggressive approach to the shortest format of the game, aiming to enhance his impact with the bat. His revamped strategy has yielded positive results on the field.

So far in the Maharaja Trophy, Padikkal has played nine matches and accumulated 240 runs, with an average of 26.66 and a strike rate of 138.72. His dynamic batting has been a key factor for the Mystics, who have successfully qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament. As the competition progresses towards its decisive phase, Padikkal is eager to capitalize on this opportunity and deliver standout performances.

Padikkal’s involvement in the Maharaja Trophy complements his broader cricketing aspirations, including his upcoming participation in the Duleep Trophy 2024. His current form in the T20 format is expected to serve as a valuable asset as he transitions back to the longer format, aiming to solidify his place in India’s Test setup. The stylish left-hander’s performances in both formats will be closely watched as he seeks to maintain his impressive form and contribute significantly to his team’s success in the season's crucial stages.

"I’ve been trying to adopt a more aggressive mindset in T20 cricket, and I’m seeing progress. It’s challenging, but it’s about making a mental shift,” Padikkal concluded.