IPL 2026| Padikkal 2.0: Where clarity meets confidence

The southpaw has scored 412 runs at a strike rate of 173.11 in 13 games this season.

Raipur: Not too long ago, there were those who wondered if Devdutt Padikkal’s IPL career would take off. After the 2024 season, Padikkal wondered if he would land a contract following a forgettable campaign with the Lucknow Super Giants, where he scored 38 runs in seven games at an average of 5.43.

By the time IPL mega auction arrived in November 2024, he had even made “peace” with himself that he may not turn up for the IPL. 

It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was enough to question his batting blueprint: could he keep up with the demands of T20 cricket?

What followed was a return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru where he was picked on the second day of the auction, and 18 months on, the redemption looks complete. Excerpts from an interaction. 

Q) How tough was it to deal with thoughts of going unsold on the first day of the auction?

A) It was weird. That’s the only way to put it, because playing in the BGT Test in Perth was something I’m really proud of. However, IPL is such a huge part of an Indian cricketer’s journey. It was odd. But as I said, I wasn’t sure that I was going to get picked. 

Q) What were your emotions when you got picked by RCB? Was there relief?

A) Hundred per cent. I always wanted to be part of the IPL. This is the platform where you can improve because you’re surrounded by great players and coaches. It was very important for me to be here. As you can see, it’s clearly helped.

Q) What were the conversations with the RCB management after you were picked?

A) We had a couple of camps in Bengaluru once the auction happened. We had Andy (Flower), Mo (Bobat) and DK (Dinesh Karthik), and they were clear about what they wanted. We worked on technique, but more importantly, they gave me confidence which I lacked. Gave me clarity. They made me believe that the strengths in my game can outweigh the weaknesses. They believed in my ability to strike from ball one, and that put me in a better frame of mind. I wanted to make an effort to change the way I played. 

Q) There’s been a surge in your strike-rates, especially in the first 10 balls. Can you take us through that evolution over the last two years?

A) Obviously a few years ago, my template was that I wanted to make sure I played the first 10 balls, get myself in and then find boundaries. Now I’m looking to find boundaries from the beginning. That mentality shift is not that easy to make because it means you have to be okay sometimes not being consistent. But it is important to make that shift.

Q) You spoke about your ambitions to play all three formats for India. What do you think are the next steps in achieving these aspirations?

A) If you don’t believe that you should be playing for the country, then you are probably not doing the right thing. I am continuously working towards that. You have to keep working hard, keep scoring runs. I am really happy with where I am with my game. I am improving every day. I am getting better at what I want to get better at. As long as I am doing that, I think I will be on the right path.