Devdutt Padikkal credited his captaincy role with Karnataka and a set of deliberate tactical adjustments for sharpening his awareness in T20 cricket, helping him grow into a more rounded batter. Speaking after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League on Friday, Padikkal said the responsibilities of leading in domestic cricket have deepened his understanding of game situations and how opponents plan their spells and strategies. The left-hander played a major role in the victory, with support from Virat Kohli and the bowling unit as RCB completed the chase of 206 with seven balls remaining.
Padikkal explained that being a captain has changed how he views the contest. “Being a captain has given me a different lens on the game. It forces you to think more about how a bowler is thinking, what captains might try on the field, and how those plans can unfold,” he said at the post-match press conference. He added that this perspective helps him respond more effectively when the match demands quick decisions. “It helps me refine aspects of my game and react better to situations. It also gives me clearer understanding of where I am in the contest and what I need to do next. So yes, captaining Karnataka has contributed positively,” Padikkal said.
The batter also suggested that his improved approach in white-ball cricket is not a sudden switch, but the result of natural progression. “I think it’s time to forget the earlier version. This is who I am now. You spot areas that need work and keep pushing those improvements,” he said.
Padikkal then heaped praise on Virat Kohli, highlighting the intensity with which the former RCB captain plays whenever he steps on the field, despite having achieved nearly everything the sport offers. He pointed to a crucial partnership with Kohli that helped seal the chase in RCB’s favour. “I think the biggest thing for me is his energy and intensity—he brings it to every game and every net session. Even after achieving everything there is to achieve in cricket, he still gives his full commitment in every practice and every match. That kind of dedication is rare,” Padikkal said.
He added that Kohli’s drive influences others in the dressing room. “When you see someone genuinely driven and passionate about the game, it spreads to everyone in the side as well. I’m sure his energy helps the whole team,” Padikkal said.
Padikkal also credited the environment within RCB for aiding his development. “Since joining RCB, the management has been really good in giving me direction and a pathway. The team environment has been special,” he noted.
He further pointed to technical adjustments he has made while transitioning from red-ball cricket to T20. “If you compare my Ranji Trophy batting with IPL, you can clearly see the changes. But the belief and confidence are still the same,” Padikkal explained.
Turning to the match, Padikkal said RCB’s bowlers executed well in the closing stages to keep Gujarat Titans under pressure. “The last three overs towards the end were really important. We felt they were about 15 to 20 runs short, and that gave us confidence going into the chase,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that RCB still needs to fine-tune its middle-overs stability. “Losing three or four wickets in a cluster is something we need to sharpen. We could have finished the game earlier,” Padikkal admitted.
On RCB’s chasing approach, Padikkal stressed the importance of staying ahead of the required run rate. “If the required rate is 10, we try to go at 11 or 12, especially during the powerplay. That buffer helps if wickets fall,” he said, adding that such thinking matches the demands of modern T20 cricket.
Padikkal also expressed satisfaction with his own contribution, particularly his ability to hit consistently over the boundary. “The biggest plus for me was the sixes. I hit six sixes, which isn’t very common for me. That was quite special,” he added.
