Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal has been one of the key contributors to the franchise’s strong TATA IPL 2026 campaign, holding firm at the number three position and playing an important role in their journey to the playoffs.
Speaking on JioStar, Padikkal reflected on his early IPL experiences, the lessons learned from Virat Kohli, the evolution of his batting approach across franchises, and the technical and mental adjustments that helped him regain consistency at RCB.
On debut season and batting with Virat Kohli
Recalling his IPL debut season with RCB in 2020, Padikkal said he entered the tournament with confidence built from strong domestic performances and was mentally prepared to seize his opportunity.
He described batting alongside Virat Kohli as a defining experience in his career, saying that observing Kohli construct his innings up close gave him invaluable clarity on pacing a knock and building partnerships. According to him, those early insights played a significant role in shaping his understanding of top-order batting.
On learning through different roles and setbacks
Padikkal spoke about the challenges of moving away from a fixed opening role during his time with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, where he was often used in different batting positions.
He said those experiences helped him develop adaptability, particularly in reading match situations and adjusting his approach under pressure.
Reflecting on his difficult 2024 season, he admitted it was a testing phase both mentally and professionally. However, he emphasised the importance of acknowledging setbacks, learning from them, and working through the process of rebuilding form rather than avoiding the issues.
He added that once the season ended, he gained clarity on the areas that needed improvement and gradually worked his way back through focused preparation and consistent effort.
On improvements after returning to RCB
Padikkal credited Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower for helping him refine his batting technique after returning to RCB.
He explained that adapting between red-ball and white-ball requirements demanded technical adjustments, but the bigger shift came in mindset. He noted that he moved away from a fixed approach at the start of his innings and adopted a more proactive intent to score regularly from the outset.
According to him, this change in approach played a key role in improving his consistency and impact at the top order.
On RCB’s deep batting lineup
Padikkal also highlighted the advantage of RCB’s strong and deep batting unit, calling it a major confidence booster for top-order players.
He said the presence of power hitters throughout the lineup allows batters at the top to play with greater freedom, while also stressing the importance of taking responsibility in modern T20 cricket.
He noted that sometimes sacrificing wickets in pursuit of quick runs is part of the evolving demands of the format, especially when a strong middle and lower order is available to capitalise later.
On Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s talent
Speaking about young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Padikkal praised his extraordinary hitting ability and natural power.
He said Suryavanshi’s talent is rare for his age and added that it would not be right to compare or imitate his style. Instead, he emphasised focusing on individual strengths and continuous self-improvement, given the depth of talent in the competition.
Padikkal concluded that his own focus remains on consistency, adaptability, and making the most of his skill set in every opportunity.
