Devdutt Padikkal, the Karnataka left-hander, has been in scintillating form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, amassing over 600 runs in the domestic 50-over competition. Despite this consistent heavy scoring, the 25-year-old has once again missed out on selection for India's ODI squad for the ongoing series against New Zealand. Speaking to the Indian Express, Padikkal offered a mature and grounded perspective on the snub, acknowledging the fierce competition among India's white-ball batting lineup.

"I wouldn't say it was disappointing," Padikkal said when asked about the omission. "Yes, I was looking at the selection and seeing what would come out. But at the same time, I understood that there are so many batters in the line and everyone has been doing really well. And it's not that easy to push into that one-day side." He stressed the importance of mental acceptance in professional cricket, adding, "As cricketers, you have to make peace with that. And you have to just try and do your job and keep scoring runs."

Padikkal's domestic dominance in the 50-over format has been remarkable, yet breaking into India's star-studded ODI setup remains a challenge. The team currently features a settled top order with players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, alongside explosive middle-order options such as Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. Padikkal's performances underline his class as an anchor who can build innings while accelerating when needed, but the depth of talent in Indian cricket has kept him on the fringes of national selection.

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The left-hander reflected on his evolution from a classical Test-style batsman to a more adaptable player suited for modern limited-overs cricket. He credited former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) mentors Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower for helping him adjust to the demands of T20 cricket, particularly in the powerplay and middle overs. "As I have grown up wanting to play Test cricket, my game was molded in a certain way," he explained. "It was definitely a challenge when I had to make those adjustments to make sure that I am keeping up with the current way T20 cricket is played."

Padikkal believes he has found his natural rhythm in the 50-over format, describing it as a balance between tempo and pattern. "In one-dayers, it's all about that tempo and that pattern. Luckily for me, I found that pretty early in my 50-over career, and I really understand how to build my innings," he said. His tactical approach remains straightforward: fight the new ball early, apply pressure on the bowlers once set, and adapt according to the match situation—whether batting first or chasing.

As the Vijay Hazare Trophy progresses, Padikkal's continued run-scoring spree keeps him firmly on the selectors' radar. While the current ODI setup is packed with in-form players, his patience and ability to perform consistently in domestic cricket position him well for future opportunities, particularly if injuries or form slumps create openings in the national side. For now, the focus remains on the job at hand—scoring runs and letting his bat do the talking.

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