Picture Credit: X/@RCBTweets
Devdutt Padikkal, who came back in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp after four years with his presence in this IPL edition, has done a fine job for the team while batting at the top-order. Against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, RCB batting-unit performed magnificently and Padikkal was one of the batters who shone in the game. The southpaw confronted 22 balls and smashed 37 runs with five boundaries (two fours and three maximums). After opener Phil Salt’s early departure, Padikkal stood with Virat Kohli at the crease and stitched a 91-run partnership for the second wicket off just 52 balls. RCB won the game by 12 runs and won their third match in the season.
Prior to RCB's crucial contest against Delhi Capitals (DC) at home, the left-handed batter revealed how it feels to play alongside Kohli in the Bengaluru camp. He also recalled what Kohli as a mentor taught him during his previous stint with RCB. "Working with Virat, being around Virat is something that is really special. The third year, when I was with RCB in the IPL, he was designated to be my mentor in the side, and that was something unreal. It was so weird to have one of the greats of the game be your mentor for two months. It was so fascinating. The things you could learn from him, just being around him the entire day, is something that I will treasure and something I learnt a lot from," said Padikkal on RCB Bold Diaries.
Padikkal will look to be consistent with his bat
Padikkal will have to deliver impactful knocks to his side consistently. In four matches, he has scored 78 runs at a strike rate of 159.18. The RCB team management will want him to be disciplined on a regular basis. Along with Salt and Kohli, Padikkal’s role becomes crucial as he is expected to amass runs at a swift pace in case any of the openers depart early.
RCB will host DC in Bengaluru and their endeavour will be to stop the latter’s bandwagon. Delhi are currently the leaders of the points table with three off three wins. RCB are holding the third place on the tally with three wins and a loss in four matches.
