Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on Devdutt Padikkal after Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a comprehensive six-wicket win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M.Chinnamswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday.

Padikkal scored a match-winning knock of 61 runs off just 26 balls in the opening game of IPL 2026 as he batted at the top of his game. The southpaw was able to hit the ground running, smashing a six on the first ball he faced. He scored seven fours and four sixes in his blistering knock as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 234.62.

Ashwin said Padikkal played like he has been playing in the IPL for 10 years.

“The way Devdutt Padikkal has performed in first class cricket, and the way he has a good average, literally like Bradman, his average is. The way he batted today, it looked like he has been batting in the IPL for 10 years. I mean, he has been around for a while. The comfort with which Virat bats, he was batting with that comfort,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin wondered what would be Virat Kohli’s role if Phil Salt fires whereas Devdutt Padikkal and captain Rajat Patidar continue to bat with the same intent. While Patidar scored a cameo of 31 runs off just 12 balls, Kohli played an unbeaten knock of 69 runs off 38 balls. 

“We have said this many times that Virat Kohli could have a season like 2016. I want to say that this season might not be as explosive as 2016. But if Phil Salt fires, Devdutt Padikkal comes in and plays with this strike rate, and Rajat Patidar plays with this intent, then what is Virat Kohli’s job? To play 20 overs. If you give that guy 20 overs with that comfort, then what will RCB’s scene be? If they can bowl like this, stop and choke the opposition, RCB’s team has a lot of power,” R Ashwin added.

RCB will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on April 5.