Virat Kohli was filled with reward for Devdutt Padikkal, who got here out firing to assist Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) begin their IPL 2026 marketing campaign with a win. On Saturday, March 28, RCB defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and commenced their title protection in type.
Padikkal, coming in as an Affect Sub for Jacob Duffy, raced to a 21-ball fifty, placing RCB in management. The left-hander scored 61 off 26 balls, hitting seven fours and 4 sixes, as RCB chased down 202 with 26 balls to spare.
IPL 2026, RCB vs SRH: rating card – Highlights
Kohli praised Padikkal’s distinctive innings, saying he needed to maintain him on strike from the beginning. Coming in after Phil Salt’s dismissal, Padikkal’s aggressive batting left the Sunrisers with little room to breathe within the IPL opener.
“Excellent knock. Proper from the phrase go, I had deliberate to be aggressive within the powerplay, however after I noticed him play, I simply needed to maintain him on strike, hitting the odd boundary right here and there. He fully took the sport away from the opposition,” Kohli advised the broadcasters after the match.
“I keep in mind telling him after that shot over mid-on off the slower ball for six, simply maintain going, you are hitting the ball so properly, maintain pushing and take the sport away from the opposition. We completed with 25–26 (26) balls to spare, and we’re going to get a lift in internet run price as properly,” Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 69, stated.
‘SHEER TALENT’
Padikkal entered the IPL on the again of a formidable Ranji Trophy season, scoring 543 runs at a mean of 60.33, together with a high rating of 232 in opposition to Uttarakhand. Kohli stated he was not stunned by Padikkal’s blistering knock, including that his assured show mirrored his world-class expertise and distinctive batting means.
“His knock was great. I’ve seen him up shut, and the ability he possesses is unbelievable. Coming off an excellent home season with the purple ball, his timing, head place, and steadiness had been all world-class. I knew what he may do if assured, and tonight was only a show of his sheer expertise,” Kohli added.
Padikkal, Kohli, and RCB will purpose to hold their successful momentum into their subsequent conflict in opposition to the Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) on Sunday, April 5, in Bengaluru.
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