RCB vs SRH: 'We're gonna Win like Champions' - Ex-India player decodes RCB mentality on Air after Devdutt Padikkal Demolition

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Devdutt Padikkal showed his hitting arch sublimely as he massacred the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling in the IPL 2026 opener on Saturday (March 28).

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium was treated with some batting expertise as Padikkal smacked the bowlers across the park with sublime hitting, as RCB were chasing down 202 runs.

Devdutt Padikkal walked in as an impact substitute at No. 3 and immediately turned the game into a spectacle. He launched the very first ball he faced for a towering six, setting an aggressive tone against the SRH bowlers. With fluent timing and fearless intent, he raced to a 21-ball fifty and built a blistering 101-run partnership with Virat Kohli in just 44 deliveries.

His innings was filled with elegant drives, powerful pulls, and clean sixes over the boundary ropes, especially punishing anything loose in the powerplay and middle overs. The left-hander eventually departed for a scintillating 61 off 26 balls, caught at long-off by Heinrich Klaasen off Harsh Dubey. His stellar knock was decorated with 7 fours and 4 sixes.

Devdutt Padikkal puts Commentators in Hail Mode

"What RCB are telling the other teams is that we're gonna play like Champions, we're gonna win like Champions, we're gonna defend the title like Champions," Gavaskar said while commentating.

"It is a terrific knock, it is a care free knock. The innings from Devdutt really takes your breath away," said another commentator, Ian Bishop.

Devdutt Padikkal Innings Fan Reaction

Fans also hailed the RCB batter for his fantastic knock. The southpaw came at a tricky stage with Phil Salt dismissed, but his knock completely changed the complexion of the match.

"Devdutt Padikkal set the tone of the chase, leading to an easy win for the defending champions," a fan wrote.