Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor Dinesh Karthik has thrown his full support behind Devdutt Padikkal, backing the stylish left-hander to break into India’s T20I setup on the back of his strong start in IPL 2026. Karthik believes Padikkal’s temperament, consistency, and ability to adapt under pressure make him hard to ignore, even in a highly competitive national pool.

Padikkal has been in outstanding form this season, registering back-to-back fifties for RCB. Against Chennai Super Kings, he overcame a cautious start to score a fluent 50 off 29 balls, playing a key role in RCB posting a massive 250—one of their highest totals against CSK. Earlier, he set the tone in the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad with a blistering 61 off just 21 deliveries, showcasing his ability to switch gears effortlessly.

Dinesh Karthik highlighted Padikkal’s composure as his biggest strength, especially in situations where batters often lose patience. “He is very determined in what he sets out to do. When a batter doesn’t get going early, it’s easy to throw it away. But the courage he showed at the start was admirable. Once he got his first boundary, he flipped the switch,” Karthik said.

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He further stressed that Padikkal’s current form puts him firmly in contention for national selection. “He is batting in such a manner that I am not sure you can keep him out of the Indian team for too long. He is playing proper cricketing shots and striking the ball cleanly,” he added.

Despite India’s depth following their recent T20 World Cup success, Dinesh Karthik described Padikkal’s inclusion as a “good headache” for selectors. Beyond his batting, the 25-year-old has also grown into a leadership role, having captained Karnataka and becoming a strong voice in the dressing room.

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Padikkal’s journey, however, hasn’t been without setbacks. Between 2021 and 2023, he battled a serious health condition that affected his fitness and form. A disciplined recovery helped him bounce back, leading to a Test debut in 2024 and consistent performances in domestic cricket.

His numbers underline his resurgence—725 runs in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, 309 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy. With momentum on his side, IPL 2026 could be the season that seals his return to India’s T20I squad.