“A Dream Come True”: Devdutt Padikkal Opens Up on His Emotional Test Debut for India

RCB Star Devdutt Padikkal Reflects on Achieving His Childhood Goal of Playing Test Cricket, Calls Receiving His India Cap a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Moment

New Delhi, April 9: Indian cricketer Devdutt Padikkal has described his Test debut for India as a moment of pure fulfillment, calling it the realization of a dream he nurtured since childhood. Speaking on RCB Bold Diaries, Padikkal opened up about the deeply emotional experience of earning his first Test cap and representing the country in the longest format.

“When you go to bed every night as a kid watching cricket, dreaming of Test cricket, and then one day wake up living that dream — it’s incredibly special,” Padikkal said. “Test cricket has always been my ultimate goal, and to finally achieve it last year was something I’ll never forget.”

Padikkal made his Test debut in March 2024 against England in the fifth Test at Dharamsala. Batting at number four, he scored a composed 65 runs in the first innings. India went on to win the match by an innings and 64 runs, and Padikkal didn’t get a second opportunity to bat.

Recalling the emotional high of the occasion, Padikkal described how receiving the India cap overwhelmed him. “I remember everything — the night before, the day itself, and that exact moment of getting the cap. It’s something I don’t think I’ll ever feel again. It happens just once in life. I went back to my room and cried the whole evening — not out of sadness, but because of the joy and fulfillment of achieving a lifelong dream.”

So far, Padikkal has featured in two Test matches, scoring 90 runs in three innings with one half-century. He has also played two T20 internationals, with a top score of 29.

A stylish left-handed top-order batter from Karnataka, Padikkal first gained national attention after a stellar debut IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2020, scoring 473 runs and earning the Emerging Player of the Season award. He followed it up with a 400+ run season in 2021, including a brilliant unbeaten 101 off 52 balls against Rajasthan Royals.

However, after being released by RCB, Padikkal moved to Rajasthan Royals for two seasons, where he was forced to bat in the middle order — a position that didn’t bring out the best in him. He then spent a year with Lucknow Super Giants before returning to RCB in 2025 for his base price of ₹2 crore.

Now back in familiar territory, Padikkal looks to continue building on his international debut and help RCB end their wait for an elusive IPL title.