Former Indian skipper Kris Srikkanth showered praise on Devdutt Padikkal for performing consistently after RCB registered a 23-run win against Punjab Kings at Dharamshala on Sunday. Padikkal scored 45 runs off 25 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes.

The left-hander added 76 runs off 41 balls with Virat Kohli for the second wicket after RCB lost the early wicket of Jacob Bethell. Padikkal has scored 412 runs in 12 innings at an average of 37.45 and a strike rate of 173.10 in the ongoing IPL 2026.

Srikkanth highlighted that Padikkal’s runs have mostly come in winning cause for RCB in the ongoing season.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “RCB have won all the matches in which Padikkal has done well. They have lost only those where he has failed. Padikkal has been a crucial win factor for RCB. He plays with such ease and effortlessness, with the ability to easily hit fours and sixes. His domestic heroics have really helped him a lot.”

The 1983 World Cup winning player said barring Jacob Bethell, RCB are coming up with a collective effort.

“RCB are playing like a championship side. Except Bethell, everybody else is performing. No one will ever get the number of chances he has got. Anyway, Salt should replace him in the next match. Padikkal has been a really impressive batter for them. The Kohli-Padikkal partnership has won so many matches for them.”

The former Indian skipper praised Venkatesh Iyer for scoring a match-winning knock of 73 runs off 40 balls.

“He smashed Chahal initially and then started smashing everyone. It reminded me of the old Venkatesh Iyer from KKR,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

With the win against PBKS, RCB were able to confirm their last four berth.