Devdutt Padikkal discusses career recovery and recent performances

Indian cricketer Devdutt Padikkal has reflected on the most difficult period of his career, citing a battle with illness in 2022 that led him to fear his professional cricket career might end. He noted the psychological difficulty of being away from the sport while peers continued to progress.

Following his recovery, Padikkal has seen a resurgence in form, including twin Test centuries in Sri Lanka in August 2026 and a recent score of 199 for India A against New Zealand A in Lincoln. To prepare for upcoming series, he has been utilizing video analysis of matches played in New Zealand to adapt to local conditions, such as wind patterns in Wellington.