Padikkal credits Kohli for batting clarity and growth

Devdutt Padikkal attributes his early IPL success and development to insights gained from batting alongside Virat Kohli during his debut season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2020. Padikkal emphasized that Kohli's expertise in building an innings provided him with crucial clarity and understanding, significantly aiding his progression as a batter. This mentorship contributed to his remarkable performance of 473 runs in 15 matches during his inaugural season, leading him to secure the Emerging Player of the Season award.

Following his debut, Padikkal experienced fluctuations in form across subsequent seasons with different franchises. However, upon his return to RCB, he engaged in extensive net sessions with mentor Dinesh Karthik and head coach Andy Flower. This collaborative effort focused on refining his batting technique, particularly for the transition from red-ball to white-ball cricket. These adjustments, including breaking away from a fixed batting template, have been instrumental in his current strong performance in the 2026 IPL season, where he has already surpassed his previous season's run tally.