Virat Kohli Praises RCB Youngster for His Impressive Strikeback
Devdutt Padikkal produced a blistering 61 off 25 balls to steer Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a convincing win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Virat Kohli offered high praise after the innings.
Explosive innings at Chinnaswamy
Padikkal attacked from the moment he arrived at the crease. He dominated pace and spin with aggressive, well-timed shots.
- David Payne bowled a slower delivery. Padikkal advanced and dispatched it over mid-wicket for six.
- Eshan Malinga pitched short. Padikkal cut past point for a boundary.
- Harsh Dubey attempted to pitch away. Padikkal drag-swept to square leg for four.
Preparation, captaincy and coaching
Karnataka tactician Yere Goud highlighted Padikkal’s preparation and clarity. He linked the batter’s form to planning across game phases.
Goud said captaincy added responsibility and boosted Padikkal’s confidence. The role helped him learn and lead under pressure.
Padikkal credited Head Coach Andy Flower and batting coach Dinesh Karthik. He said the work involved technical and mental change.
Reactions from opponents and teammates
SRH coach Daniel Vettori praised Padikkal’s impact. Vettori noted the batter hit the first ball for six and took on all bowlers.
Kohli said he initially planned aggression in the powerplay. But he kept Padikkal on strike after watching him bat.
Virat complimented Padikkal’s timing, head position and balance. He called the execution “absolutely world class”.
Form and wider context
Padikkal was described as a 25-year-old prospect. Last season he scored 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy at an average near 60.
He also amassed more than 1,000 runs combined in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Those numbers underline his rising stock.
Many now see him among India’s white-ball options. Filmogaz.com noted the knock may re-register his name among national talents.
Virat Kohli praised the RCB youngster for his impressive strikeback during post-match comments. The accolade came after a display of intent and skill.
Match report and quotes supplied with PTI inputs. First published: Mar 29, 2026, 7:39 PM IST.
