Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol
A Surprising Revelation Before the IPL 2026 Final
As the cricketing world turns its attention to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans, Devdutt Padikkal has offered fans a glimpse into his personal sporting journey. In a candid session, the stylish left-handed batter discussed his inspirations, his career milestones, and the quirky stories behind his public persona.
Perhaps the most talked-about moment from the interaction was when Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol. Given that Padikkal has shared the RCB dressing room with Kohli for several years, many expected the modern Indian batting maestro to be his top pick. Instead, Padikkal highlighted the immense influence of Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh during his formative years.
Why Gambhir and Yuvraj?
Padikkal explained that his admiration for Gambhir and Yuvraj stems from their legendary status during India’s golden era of white-ball cricket. He specifically noted Gambhir’s incredible ability to thrive under pressure in high-stakes matches and his consistent reliability at the top of the order. Similarly, Yuvraj Singh’s fearless approach to batting and his knack for delivering match-winning performances left a lasting impression on the young batter.
These two veterans were instrumental in India’s historic triumphs, including the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Reflecting on his childhood heroes, Padikkal stated, “That’s a tough question. There are a few, but I would say Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.”
Reflecting on a Stellar Career
Beyond his idols, Padikkal looked back on his professional journey with fondness. When asked about his most cherished IPL moment, he pointed to the ultimate goal: “Winning the trophy and just lifting that trophy.” On the field, he identifies the “flick shot” as his personal favorite weapon in his batting arsenal.
His most memorable innings remains his explosive century against Rajasthan Royals in 2021. During that match at the Wankhede Stadium, Padikkal smashed an unbeaten 101 off just 52 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and six maximums, leading RCB to a dominant 10-wicket victory.
The Stories Behind the Numbers and Names
The conversation also touched upon the lighter side of his career. Addressing the mystery behind his jersey number 37, the batter credited his mother’s faith in astrology for the selection. Furthermore, he clarified the origin of his widely recognized nickname, “DDP.” While teammates and fans use it frequently, Padikkal gave credit to former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull for coining the moniker.
A Career-Best Season
Padikkal’s reflections come at a time when he is enjoying the most successful season of his career. Throughout the 2026 IPL campaign, he has evolved his game, adopting a significantly more aggressive approach at the crease. In 15 matches, he has accumulated 463 runs at a strike rate of 170.85, proving to be a vital component of the RCB lineup as they aim for the championship title.
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepares to face the Gujarat Titans in what promises to be a thrilling final, the maturity and clarity shown by Padikkal suggest he is ready to shine on the biggest stage. Whether he is drawing inspiration from his childhood idols or focusing on the immediate goal of lifting the trophy, DDP remains a pivotal figure in the current RCB squad.
