Devdutt Padikkal Reflects on IPL Journey and Growth with RCB

Devdutt Padikkal, the talented batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, reflects on his IPL journey, discussing his debut alongside Virat Kohli and the challenges faced during his stints with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and learning from setbacks, revealing how these experiences have shaped him into a better player. With a focus on technical evolution and a more aggressive batting approach, Padikkal is determined to continue his growth in the league. Discover more about his insights and performance in the latest season.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2026, 18:35 IST

Devdutt Padikkal's IPL Journey

Devdutt Padikkal, a batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), shared insights on his IPL journey, highlighting how his initial experience opening with Virat Kohli shaped his career. He noted that his later experiences with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were instrumental in his development, particularly in understanding game situations and handling pressure. Padikkal spoke about this during an interview on JioStar.

Early Success and Transition

Making his IPL debut in 2020, Padikkal quickly emerged as a standout player, scoring 473 runs in 15 innings with an average of 31.80, including five half-centuries. Following a successful season where he achieved his first IPL century, he joined RR for two seasons and LSG for one. After facing challenges with both teams, RCB re-signed him for Rs 2 crore ahead of the 2025 season, where he played a vital role in their title-winning campaign, despite an injury setback.

Learning from Virat Kohli

Reflecting on his debut alongside Kohli, Padikkal expressed that he felt prepared due to his strong domestic performance. He credited Kohli's batting style for providing him with clarity on how to build an innings, which significantly contributed to his growth as a player.

Challenges with RR and LSG

Padikkal faced difficulties during his two years with RR, where he batted in various positions from opener to number six. He acknowledged that adapting to different batting orders was tough but essential for his development. He learned to read game situations and perform under pressure, which he views as a crucial part of his journey.

Overcoming Setbacks

His time with LSG in 2024 was particularly challenging, as he managed only 38 runs in seven innings. Padikkal admitted that bouncing back from such a season was difficult, but he focused on identifying areas for improvement rather than shying away from the challenges.

Technical Adjustments and Current Performance

Since returning to RCB, Padikkal has made significant technical changes under the guidance of head coach Andy Flower and batting mentor Dinesh Karthik. He shifted his approach from red-ball to white-ball cricket, emphasizing a more aggressive mindset. Over the past two seasons, he has scored 659 runs in 22 innings at an average of 32.95, with a strike rate exceeding 163. This season, he has accumulated 412 runs in 12 innings, averaging 37.45, and has formed crucial partnerships, especially with Kohli.