Devdutt Padikkal, the talented batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, recently opened up about his time working with Virat Kohli, one of the best batsmen in cricket. He also shared his hopes of winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy with his beloved RCB squad, especially in this exciting season of the 18th IPL edition. It’s like a homecoming for Devdutt since he’s back with RCB after being away for three seasons. After leaving Bengaluru in 2022, he played two seasons with Rajasthan Royals and then had a stint with Lucknow Super Giants. The recent mega auction brought him back to RCB when they picked him up for his base value of 2 crores. This move reunited him with his old team and allowed him to work again with Virat.
Devdutt spoke about how incredible it has been to train alongside Virat, whom he had the chance to learn from as his mentor for two months. For the 24-year-old, it was a dream come true. He described it as surreal to have a legend of the game like Virat guiding him. “Working with Virat and just being around him is such a special experience. In my third year with RCB, he was assigned as my mentor, and it was something unreal. It felt strange but amazing to have someone so accomplished in the game mentoring me. I learned so much just from spending that time with him,” Padikkal shared during a recent discussion on RCB Bold Diaries.
Returning to RCB, a team he’s always held dear to his heart, he has his sights set on realizing his dream of lifting the IPL trophy. After four matches this season, RCB is currently sitting in a solid third place with three wins and six points. “Winning the IPL is definitely a dream for all of us at RCB. As someone who has always been a fan of the team, I really want to see them lift that trophy. Every RCB fan feels the same way, and I’m no different,” he expressed.
Padikkal went on to say, “Even during the years I played for other teams, I had a soft spot for RCB. I would watch their matches and root for them, hoping they would do well. So, coming back to RCB now, I just want to win that trophy for the team and all the fans.” It’s clear that for Devdutt, playing for RCB means a lot more than just playing cricket; it’s about fulfilling a dream for him and all the loyal fans of the team. He carries that passion and dedication into every match, fully aware of the weight of hopes resting on the team’s shoulders.
