Devdutt Padikkal is going to play a major role in RCB's success in IPL 2026 – Irfan Pathan

Talented southpaw Devdutt Padikkal returned to RCB last year and instantly impacted the side. He not only bolstered RCB’s number three position with an intent show of fireworks but also made the transition from Phil Salt’s brutal aggression to a well-settled middle-order for RCB extremely smooth.

Last season, Padikkal hammered 247 runs at a breezy strike rate of 150.61. He also registered a couple of half-centuries before an unfortunate injury ruled him out of the tournament. However, Padikkal’s return to domestic cricket this year was louder than ever and he effortlessly created ripples across the fabric of the Indian domestic scene.

Padikkal, appointed as Karnataka captain for this year's Ranji Trophy, set the scene ablaze with his sensational striking. He clobbered 725 runs at an average of 90.62 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while garnering 543 runs at an average of 60.33 in the Ranji Trophy. He rocked the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with his own exquisite striking, racking up 309 runs at a strike rate of 167.02.

Former Indian fast-bowler, Irfan Pathan, opened up on how Padikkal’s presence will be crucial for RCB this year. Pathan highlighted Padikkal’s blistering form in the domestic circuit while linking that with the dynamics of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Talking on JioStar, Pathan said, “Devdutt Padikkal is going to play a major role in RCB's success in IPL 2026. He has scored runs left, right and centre in domestic cricket across all formats. He looks like a very improved player. There was a time when he was struggling, wasn't getting his timing right. But that is in the past now. Devdutt Padikkal is a different, very confident player now.”