Devdutt Padikkal has rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after being reacquired by the franchise at the auction. The left-handed batter previously played for RCB from 2019 to 2021 before moving to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for two seasons.
Devdutt Padikkal journey in IPL
In 2024, he represented Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) following a trade but had a tough season, scoring just 38 runs in seven innings. Overall, Padikkal has accumulated 1,559 runs in 64 IPL innings at a strike rate of 123.14, including one century and nine fifties.
Returning to RCB, the 24-year-old will aim to rediscover his form, having previously scored 884 runs in 29 innings for the franchise, with a highest score of an unbeaten 101. Across his T20 career, he has 2,806 runs in 99 innings, featuring three centuries and 17 half-centuries.
RCB extended a warm welcome to Devdutt Padikkal on their official X handle on Tuesday (March 11), writing:
“Guess who’s back? Back again! Devdutt’s BACK. Our very own homeboy, the S̶i̶l̶e̶n̶t̶ Smile Assasin is ready to rock the Red & Gold, once again. Chat, we excited or what?”
🎶 “Guess who’s back? Back again! Devdutt's BACK” 😍😉
Our very own homeboy, the S̶i̶l̶e̶n̶t̶ Smile Assasin is ready to rock the Red & Gold, once again. Chat, we excited or what? 🔥🔥#RCBxPuma official replica jersey and merchandise range launching on 12th March. Get yours on… pic.twitter.com/jprjBI8G1i
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 11, 2025
Devdutt Padikkal Reveals Virat Kohli’s Key Advice During Early RCB Days
Devdutt Padikkal previously thanked Virat Kohli for his guidance while opening alongside him during the IPL 2020 season. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo in November 2020, he said:
“Throughout the season, he kept telling me to stay in the zone and continue to do what I was doing. I remember when we were travelling back from the Mumbai [Indians] game in which I got the 70 [74], he sent me a text message saying, “Continue to do that and you’re playing really well, just stay in the zone and enjoy yourself”. That was really special because, coming from him, it was a great honor.”
“I really enjoyed batting with him whenever I could because he makes your job so easy. He just takes on the bowlers from ball one and I enjoyed watching him,” he added.
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