'Test cricket is the ultimate': India 'A'-select Devdutt Padikkal shares his dreams

Malappuram: A string of impressive performances for Karnataka in the domestic circuit has catapulted young cricketer Devdutt Padikkal into the big league.

A fearless batsman who plays his strokes and looks to dominate, the nineteen-year-old finished as the highest run-getter of the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament with 609 runs in 11 innings, scoring at an average of 67.66. He was rewarded with a place in the India A team for the upcoming DB Deodhar trophy for his domestic exploits.

An effective part-time off-spinner, Devdutt’s progress in the last couple of years has been quite astonishing. If he carries on his fine form, it is certain that the stylish southpaw could be seen knocking on the doors of the national selectors in the near future.

Born in Edappal in Malappuram district to Babunu and Ambili, Devdutt’s tryst with cricket begins when his family decided to move from Hyderabad to Bangalore to provide him with a better cricketing opportunity. In a free-wheeling chat, the youngster talks about his journey as a cricketer so far.

Excerpts from an interview:

How is the feeling of becoming the highest run-getter of the country’s premier domestic one-day championship?

It feels really great. Doing it at the age of 19, that too in my maiden appearance, is something special. In the previous domestic seasons, I was disappointed at not being able to play long innings. I used to throw away my wicket after scoring 60s and 70s. I have realised that after a certain point it is your mental strength that matters more than your skillset. I think I've improved a lot mentally and batting-wise.

What is your ultimate dream?

As every young cricketer in this country, I dream of playing for India. I know one good performance will not be enough to realise that dream. I will have to make every opportunity count and score runs consistently. I think it is an advantage to be a left-handed opener.

Sharing the dressing room with senior players like Manish Pandey, Mayank Agarwal, and K L Rahul during the Vijay Hazare trophy has helped me learn a lot. Although I did not get a chance to play, I was lucky to be part of the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League last season. Virat came across as an approachable and friendly person. He was always willing to offer tips to improve my game. The most valuable piece of advice from him was that a batsman needs to stay fresh and blank in his mind when he goes out to bat. He has also told me that if one is going through a bad patch, it is important to spend as much time as possible in the middle to regain his rhythm.

Do you think your game suits the shorter formats more?

Believe it or not, I’m somebody who grew up watching Test cricket. It is not easy to be a Test player as the format requires great skill and temperament. Although I believe Test cricket is the ultimate format, I want to do well in all forms. I’m working hard to improve my fielding and bowling.

Who is your cricketing idol?

My favourite player is Gautam Gambhir. He really was an inspiration for me to take cricket seriously.

What are your hobbies and leisure activities?

I did not get much time to relax in the past 2-3 years. During breaks, I like to hang out with friends. I also love playing video games like FIFA and PS4.

How much has the Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) in Bengaluru shaped your career?

I have been training at the KIOC under ever since my family shifted to Bengaluru from Hyderabad in 2011. Coach Naseeruddin has played a vital role in moulding my career. It was in 2014 that I first represented Karnataka. I went on to play for the state in the U-16, and U-19 categories. Consistent performance for age-group teams helped me earn a call-up to the India U-19 team. I was in good nick in the away series against Sri Lanka and the U-19 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Karnataka Premier League franchise Bellary Tuskers picked me up in 2017 and so far I have played for them in three seasons.