'Blew me away' - Ian Bishop salutes Devdutt Padikkal's counterattacking innings during RCB vs GT match

Published - 25 Apr 2026, 17:33 IST | Updated - 25 Apr 2026, 17:44 IST

Former West Indies player-turned-expert Ian Bishop has heaped praise on Devdutt Padikkal’s counterattacking innings against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday, April 24. The left-handed batter, along with Virat Kohli, took the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their fifth victory of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Padikkal came in to bat when RCB lost the wicket of Jacob Bethell for 26 after three overs. He did not take his foot off the gas and targeted the bowlers in the powerplay. The 25-year-old went on to score his half-century in just 20 balls, the quickest in his IPL career. He ended up scoring 55 off 27 balls, an innings comprising two fours and six sixes.

Bishop was extremely impressed by how Padikkal has reinvented his batting style this season and has become a lot more aggressive early in the innings, aligning with modern T20 cricket. The RCB batter’s change in style of play is also a serving example for other players that they can up their game at any stage of their cricketing careers.

“Devdutt Padikkal blew me away tonight and I’ve seen a lot. That blew me away, honestly. I’m sorry. What he’s done this season, the power, the aggression, the ability to get good balls away, I find it mind-blowing that no one come and tell me in the future that as a cricketer, you can’t improve at some stage during your career. This guy is done. DDP, top man, Virat was good, Sai good. Devdutt Padikkal, tonight, blew me away," Ian Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo.

Padikkal has gone on to score 208 runs from six innings at a strike-rate of 184.07, his highest in the IPL since making his debut back in 2020. His average of 34.66 is also the highest in his seven-season-long career in the tournament.

Defending champions RCB are in a prime position to go on and defend their title this season. As things stand, they are second in the standings, having picked up 10 points from their first seven matches this season. With the form of Padikkal, Kohli and Rajat Patidar on the ascendancy, the Royal Challengers are one of the most dangerous sides this season.