Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol
An Unexpected Revelation from the RCB Star
As the cricketing world turns its eyes toward the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the grand finale of the IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s rising star Devdutt Padikkal has provided some fascinating insights into his personal journey. In a recent interaction, the left-handed batter opened up about his childhood heroes, his most memorable moments on the field, and the stories behind his identity in the sport.
Perhaps the most surprising takeaway from his pre-final interview was his answer regarding the players who inspired him most. In a candid moment, Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol. Given that Padikkal has shared the dressing room with Kohli for several years at RCB, many fans expected the former Indian captain to be his primary influence. Instead, Padikkal looked toward the tenacity of Gautam Gambhir and the explosive talent of Yuvraj Singh.
Defining Influences: Gambhir and Yuvraj
Explaining his choice, Padikkal noted that he grew up watching the golden era of Indian white-ball cricket. Both Gambhir and Yuvraj were instrumental in India’s historic 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup victories. Padikkal specifically highlighted Gambhir’s legendary ability to handle extreme pressure in high-stakes matches, a trait that the young batter clearly admires. Yuvraj Singh, meanwhile, captivated him with his aggressive batting style and fearless approach to the game.
Memorable Moments and Personal Milestones
Beyond his inspirations, Padikkal shared some of his favorite career highlights. When asked about his most treasured IPL memory, he did not hesitate to name the thrill of lifting the trophy. Regarding his technical prowess, he identified the ‘flick shot’ as his absolute favorite weapon in his batting arsenal. His most memorable innings remains his spectacular 2021 century against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, where he scored an unbeaten 101 off just 52 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and six maximums.
The Stories Behind the Numbers and Nickname
The interview also touched upon the more personal aspects of his cricket identity. Fans often wonder about the stories behind player jersey numbers and monikers. Padikkal revealed that his jersey number, 37, was chosen based on his mother’s belief in astrology. Furthermore, he clarified the origin of his widely recognized nickname, ‘DDP’. He credited the former New Zealand cricketer and renowned commentator Simon Doull for coining the moniker that has now become a staple in cricket broadcasting.
A Career-Best Season
Padikkal’s reflections come at a time when he is enjoying the most productive season of his career. His evolution as a batter in the 2026 edition of the IPL has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has adopted a more aggressive approach, reflected in his impressive statistics. Over the course of 15 matches, Padikkal has amassed 463 runs at an average of 35.62, boasting a strike rate of 170.85. With three half-centuries to his name, his contribution has been vital to Royal Challengers Bengaluru reaching the IPL final for the second consecutive season.
As the team prepares for their showdown against the Gujarat Titans, fans will be eager to see if Padikkal can bring the same level of poise and aggression he admires in his idols to the biggest stage of them all. His journey, marked by both strategic growth and a respect for the game’s past legends, continues to make him one of the most compelling figures in modern Indian cricket.
