IPL 2026: Devdutt Padikkal finds white ball ruthlessness to power RCB's early charge

Devdutt Padikkal displayed a new aggressive batting approach in the IPL 2026 opener. He hit the first ball for a six and maintained a high strike rate throughout his innings. Coaches Yere Goud and Daniel Vettori noted his preparation and confidence. Virat Kohli praised his timing and balance. This performance signals Padikkal's emergence as a significant white-ball talent.