Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opened their IPL 2026 campaign on a high note, winning both of their opening matches to sit at the top of the table. Batter Devdutt Padikkal says the early momentum is no accident, pointing to a clear tactical adjustment: protect wickets during the opening phase, then accelerate decisively in the back end. The shift has helped RCB blend prudence with well-timed pressure, and it has already translated into results, highlighted by their dominant 43-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the win, Padikkal explained that RCB have actively tried to correct batting shortcomings from previous seasons. He described the plan as a two-stage approach\u2014first, ensuring they do not bleed wickets when the pitch and ball are still offering help to bowlers; then, once conditions become more manageable, they look to go hard and take the game away.<\/p>\n
Padikkal said the change was rooted in lessons learned last season. \u201cLast year, in a couple of games early on, we struggled and ended up losing three or four wickets. That immediately puts you under pressure,\u201d he remarked. He added that the team held a mid-season discussion focused on the importance of holding their wicket hand. \u201cWe needed to make sure that when the wicket is doing something and the ball is behaving in that way, we have wickets in hand. Once the ball gets older, it becomes much easier to bat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Padikkal, one of the main goals has been to prevent early collapses. \u201cWe had to make sure we are not three or four down by the 10-over mark. Once we could achieve that, we were able to go after every ball,\u201d he stated. He also praised the collective consistency of the side, saying the way the unit has batted since then has been outstanding.<\/p>\n
With this plan in place, RCB have already posted imposing totals and sustained pressure on opposition bowling attacks by accelerating at the right moments, turning strong starts into match-defining advantages.<\/p>\n
Padikkal\u2019s form has been a major factor in Bengaluru\u2019s early run, with scores of 61 and 50 in their first two games. He credits his improvement in T20 cricket to a deliberate change in both mindset and technique\u2014an adjustment he says required real effort, because it meant revisiting the fundamentals of how he believed the game should be played.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of hard work and self-belief. It wasn\u2019t easy to make that change because I had to alter the foundation of the kind of cricket I wanted to play growing up,\u201d Padikkal admitted. He also pointed to the role of the team setup, adding, \u201cThe change was something I had to make consciously, and RCB\u2019s support staff have been brilliant in guiding me in the right way,\u201d as he highlighted the environment that has helped him refine his approach.<\/p>\n
While T20 batting increasingly demands power, Padikkal believes the current emphasis on big hitting is part of a wider natural progression in the format. \u201cBatting has gone to another level. Everyone is working hard to hit big sixes and fours. It\u2019s now on the bowlers to raise their game as well,\u201d he said, suggesting that over time conditions may also help balance the contest.<\/p>\n
Padikkal reserved special admiration for Tim David, whose explosive 70 off 25 balls played a decisive role in dismantling Chennai\u2019s bowling attack. \u201cWe see him do this every day in practice. He\u2019s very clear about which bowler to target and when. That clarity makes a huge difference,\u201d Padikkal said, underlining how planning and execution have become key weapons in RCB\u2019s batting strength.<\/p>\n
For more updates on the IPL, fans can follow the latest news, keep track of the tournament schedule and points standings, and monitor the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opened their IPL 2026 campaign on a high note, winning both of their opening matches to sit at the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":643,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Padikkal\u2019s RCB Mantra\u2014Attack Hard in Back End","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026: Devdutt Padikkal reveals RCB\u2019s new mantra\u2014stay steady early, then attack hard in the back end to pile up wins at the top.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n