The Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season is about to end. As soon as the semi-finals are being played. In the first semi-final of the domestic tournament, Karnataka is facing Uttarakhand and in the second, Bengal is facing Jammu and Kashmir. Karnataka have been in sensational form this season in major domestic tournaments. They look like strong contenders to win the competition.
After the announcement of new captain Devdutt Padikkal, he has looked at the season differently. Karnataka announced their new captain midway through the season, replacing the experienced Mayank Agarwal. The decision was taken before the last league game against Punjab in January. Devdutt Padikkal has been in sensational form this season, showcasing his talent in the red-ball format.
Devdutt Padikkal shines on the big occasion
The Karnataka captain performed brilliantly in the semi-final against Uttarakhand and scored a brilliant double century. He came to bat after Mayank Agarwal was out with the score of 18 runs on the board. Padikkal and KL Rahul made a partnership of 278 runs for the second wicket, in which Rahul scored 141 runs in 211 balls, hitting 11 fours and five sixes.
Devdutt Padikkal, who also converted his century into a brilliant double century. He was out on the score of 232 runs with 29 fours and three sixes in 330 balls. Padikkal has been in good form since the last group match against Punjab, where he scored 120 runs in 85 balls to help Karnataka achieve the target of 250 runs in 28 overs.
Devdutt Padikkal had a sensational season
A captain’s masterpiece!
Watch the moment Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden first-class double century
He bursts into applause as the dressing room rises to acknowledge a special knock
Update https://t.co/SztwjvwUiI#RanjiTrophy @IDFCFIRSTBANK @devdpd07 pic.twitter.com/0Qaa5DNU9z
– BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) 16 February 2026
Padikkal did not perform in the quarterfinals; However, his performance in the semi-finals was excellent. Karnataka’s score is currently 484/4 and they are looking to score a big score in the first innings. The southpaw will be looking to cement his place in the Indian team for the upcoming Test series against Afghanistan in June. He has already made his debut for the Blues in white.
He has played two Test matches for India, scoring one half-century and has an average of 30.00 and a highest score of 65. Devdutt Padikkal, who does not often get a chance to play for the India Test team, will be looking to make his place in the playing eleven after his sensational Ranji form.
KL Rahul and Padikkal left behind from history
In the semi-final game, KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal almost made a record partnership for the second wicket as they fell behind by 20 runs. The highest partnership for the second wicket for Karnataka in a Ranji match is 297 runs, made by MR Srinivas Prasad and Gundappa Vishwanath against Kerala in 1984/85. This partnership of 278 runs between Rahul and Padikkal is the third highest partnership.
However, the number he bats at is number 4, and Team India captain Shubman Gill bats in that position; He can either be fitted at the number 3 position or can play at the number 5 position for the team. India have not yet announced their squad for the upcoming series, but he will definitely be in the team. But there will be questions on his participation in the eleven.
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