Devdutt Padikkal appointed captain of THIS team ahead of IPL 2026
(Courtesy : RCB)
Devdutt Padikkal has been one of the finest young talents in the Indian cricket and plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL.
Karnataka have ushered in a new leadership era in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The team management has appointed Devdutt Padikkal as captain, replacing Mayank Agarwal.
The move comes at a critical juncture, with Karnataka facing a must-win away fixture against Punjab to remain in contention for the knockout stages. Padikkal, 25, earns his maiden first-class captaincy assignment after an impressive run in white-ball cricket this season.
Paddikal was Karnataka’s standout performer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing a key role in the team’s run to the semifinals. The left-hander now shoulders the responsibility of steering a side coming off a heavy home defeat against Madhya Pradesh.
Selection Committee explains Devdutt Paddikal’s captaincy role
Explaining the decision, Karnataka selection committee chairman Amit Verma stressed that the move was made with the larger team interest in mind, particularly to free up Mayank Agarwal to focus on his batting.
“Given how intense Mayank is as a player, we felt the captaincy was, in some way, affecting his batting, especially since he also opens the innings. We want him to bat freely. We had a conversation with him and he was in sync with the decision,” Verma said.
Verma also clarified that Padikkal’s appointment is not a temporary measure but part of a long-term leadership vision.
“It is time we groom youngsters for leadership roles, and Padikkal is the perfect fit. Against Punjab, apart from Mayank, he will also have KL Rahul to help him ease into the new role.”
With seasoned campaigners like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in the dressing room, the new captain will have valuable support as he navigates the pressures of red-ball leadership.
On Mayank’s continued importance to the team, Verma reaffirmed his role as a senior figure.
“He brings with him valuable experience, hence he will continue to mentor the youngsters in the side.”
The upcoming encounter against Punjab will be a true test of Padikkal’s leadership credentials. A strong performance could not only revive Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy campaign but also mark the beginning of a promising captaincy journey.
Padikkal’s elevation reflects Karnataka’s intent to invest in young leadership while maintaining a strong core of experience within the squad.
Karnataka squad
Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Aneesh KV, Devdutt Padikkal (capt), R Smaran, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna, Venkatesh M, Vidhyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, KL Shrijith and Dhruv Prabhakar.
Who did Devdutt Padikkal replace as Karnataka captain?
Devdutt Padikkal was named captain as part of Karnataka captain replacing Mayank Agarwal.
Is Devdutt Padikkal’s captaincy a temporary arrangement?
No, Karnataka’s selectors have clarified that Padikkal’s appointment is not a stop-gap but a long-term leadership move.
When will Devdutt Padikkal lead Karnataka for the first time?
Devdutt Padikkal will make his captaincy debut in Karnataka’s must-win Ranji Trophy away match against Punjab.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.