Devdutt Padikkal, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) left-handed opener, has credited batting alongside Virat Kohli in his 2020 IPL debut season as a defining influence on how he learned to construct an innings. Padikkal, who has amassed 412 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 173.11 this season, spoke to JioStar about the technical, mental, and career lessons that have shaped him into one of IPL 2026's standout performers for the defending champions.

What Kohli's Presence Taught Him

'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. So, I knew that when my chance came, I would be fully switched on and give 100 per cent,' Padikkal said.

'And 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. That made a big difference in my growth,' he added.

Technical Overhaul on Return to RCB

Padikkal returned to RCB in 2025 and used the opportunity to overhaul his batting approach with the help of the franchise's support staff. 'I made several changes to my batting technique with the help of Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower. I needed to adjust a few things to shift from red-ball to white-ball cricket,' he said.

The mental recalibration was equally significant. 'In earlier seasons, I had a fixed template for starting my innings. I had to break away from that and try a different approach. I needed to go out with the mindset of looking to score off every ball. Once I did that, the results started showing,' Padikkal explained. This is a broader shift mirrored across modern T20 batting, where aggressive intent from ball one has become the dominant template.

How RCB's Batting Depth Frees Him Up

Padikkal described RCB's deep batting lineup as a 'luxury' that paradoxically demands greater responsibility at the top. 'Having a powerful and deep batting lineup at RCB is a luxury. When you know the batting order is strong all the way down, it gives you extra confidence to play freely at the top. But you also have to take responsibility. That's how T20 cricket is evolving now,' he said.

'You have to be ready to sacrifice your wicket if it helps the team score an extra 20 or 30 runs quickly. So, it's important to keep the momentum going,' he added. RCB have sealed their spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs, and Padikkal's form has been central to that run.

Lessons from Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants

Before his return to RCB, Padikkal had stints with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, where he batted at varied positions in the order. 'Moving from being a dedicated opener to batting in different positions lower down the order was challenging, especially at a young age. But those experiences with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants shaped me into the player I am today,' he reflected.

He was candid about the difficult 2024 IPL season: 'A lot was going on in my head. I made sure I didn't ignore it. You must go through the phase, accept it, and figure out how to come out better. Once the season ended, I knew exactly what I had to work on.' The bounce-back in 2026 underscores how self-awareness has become as important as technique in professional cricket.

Padikkal on Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Padikkal also praised teenaged left-handed opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, calling him a rare talent. 'What Vaibhav Suryavanshi does is truly unique. At his age, to have that kind of power and explosiveness in his batting is special. Honestly, it would be foolish for anyone to try to copy him,' he said. Padikkal added that he focuses on his own strengths rather than drawing comparisons, keeping his approach simple and process-driven.

With RCB through to the IPL 2026 playoffs, Padikkal's evolution — from a cautious debut-season opener to an intent-driven, technically refined batter — will be among the sub-plots to watch as the tournament enters its knockout phase.