Royal Challengers Bengaluru batsman Devdutt Padikkal has credited former captain Virat Kohli for helping him learn how to construct innings in T20 cricket.
Padikkal made the comments on May 22, 2026, ahead of a crucial IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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The defending champions have already secured a playoff spot, with Padikkal scoring 412 runs in 13 matches at a career-best strike rate of 173.11.
A win against Hyderabad would put Bengaluru top of the table with 20 points.
Early Success and Form Slump
Padikkal burst onto the scene in his 2020 debut season, scoring 473 runs in 15 matches to win the Emerging Player award.
He then experienced a form slump, moving through Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants before returning to Bengaluru for ₹2 crore in 2025.
“When I made my IPL debut with RCB in the 2020 season, I felt ready.
I had a solid run of scores in domestic cricket behind me,” Padikkal said during a JioStar broadcast.
“Batting with Virat Kohli, one of the greatest in the game, was a huge help.
At that age, watching him build an innings gave me so much clarity and understanding of how to construct a knock.”
Adapting to Different Roles
The left-hander later batted in various positions for Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, which expanded his adaptability under pressure.
His 2024 season with Lucknow was his lowest point, yielding only 38 runs in seven appearances.
