‘Virat bhai’s instructions’: Padikkal reveals the strategy behind RCB’s record chase

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) launched their title defence in historic fashion Saturday, executing the fastest 200-plus run chase in Indian Premier League history to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The defending champions reached the 202-run target in just 15.4 overs, winning by four wickets. The charge was led by "Impact Player" Devdutt Padikkal, who dismantled the SRH bowling attack with a 26-ball 61, and Virat Kohli, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 38 deliveries.

A Masterclass in Aggression

Following the early loss of opener Phil Salt, Padikkal and Kohli stabilised the innings with a blistering 101-run partnership forged in only 45 balls. Padikkal, playing at a strike rate of 234.62, credited Kohli’s tactical guidance for his fearless approach.

"It feels good to start off the new season with a win, especially at Bengaluru," Padikkal told Star Sports' 'Amul Cricket Live'. "When I came out to bat, Virat bhai's only instruction was to keep the run-rate up and put pressure on the bowlers. My job was to take risks while he anchored the chase."

Padikkal noted that Kohli's veteran presence allowed him to play with freedom. "His presence took the pressure off me and let me play freely," he said. "We lost Phil Salt early, but it was important to keep the pressure on, so SRH wouldn't get the chance to come back into the game."

Coaching and Evolution

Padikkal attributed his refined T20 style to the influence of Head Coach Andy Flower and Batting Coach/Mentor Dinesh Karthik. He emphasised that his evolution involved a significant mental shift to match the high-octane nature of modern cricket.

"The credit for the evolution and improvement of my game goes to our Head Coach Andy Flower and our Batting Coach Dinesh Karthik bhai," Padikkal said. "It wasn't just technical; it was a lot mentally as well. I needed to really believe that I can play this aggressive brand of cricket."

He observed that the league has transformed since his 2020 debut. "T20 cricket has evolved a lot... the cricket we played [then] was very different from what is being played now," he added.

Match Highlights

Earlier in the evening, Sunrisers Hyderabad recovered from a dismal start to post 201/9. Despite losing Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy during the power play, a standout performance by Ishan Kishan (80 off 38 balls) and a late cameo from Ankiet Verma (43 off 18 balls) pushed the visitors past the 200-mark.

The RCB bowling effort was spearheaded by Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd, who claimed three wickets each.

In response, after the Kohli-Padikkal fireworks, skipper Rajat Patidar provided the finishing touches with a rapid 31 off 12 balls. The victory served as a poignant tribute to the fans honoured during the pre-match ceremonies following last year’s tragic stampede at the venue.

With inputs from ANI