Devdutt Padikkal reveals 50-over format is his favorite, says he likes adapting his game as required

India’s rookie batter Devdutt Padikkal has revealed that he enjoys playing in the 50-over format and he likes adjusting his game according to the match situation. The left-hander averages 82.52 in List A cricket, which is the best in the world among players with more than 2000 runs.

The southpaw has scored 2063 in 32 List-A games with the help of nine centuries and a dozen fifties. 

“I enjoy batting in one-dayers because you have a situation where you have to adapt throughout the innings,” Padikkal told The Hindu recently. “You play the first 10 overs in the PowerPlay, then move out of it, and then again you have a different scenario in the end. 

“I enjoy adapting and changing my game as and when required. So that’s why, I guess, this is one of the best formats for me.”

Padikkal was recently added to India’s Test squad in the Border-Gavaskar series after his impressive performance for India A. However, the youngster returned with scores of 0 and 25 in the opening Test at Perth, which India won by a gargantuan margin of 295 runs.

“I am very motivated and looking forward to whatever is left of this season,” Padikkal said about being in a happy space. “Being part of the Test squad drives you even further to push those limits, and that’s all I’m going to be looking to do this season as well. It’s important that I keep my foot on the pedal and not take it off.”

Padikkal made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka in 2021. The left-hander also scored an impressive 65 on his Test debut against England.

“It’s pretty surreal. As a cricketer growing up, you want to play Test cricket for India, and being there in that entire series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was like a dream. Obviously, I would have liked to contribute more. But now, it is up to me to continue working hard and getting back up there,” said the stylish left-hander.

Padikkal has also scored 188 runs in two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at an average of 94.