Dale Steyn makes shocking confession about deliberately hurting Devdutt Padikkal in RCB nets

Like every season, the ongoing TATA Indian Premier League 2026 (TATA IPL 2026) is throwing up big moments as well. But a shocking revelation from the former South African legend Dale Steyn has put the spotlight on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) star batter Devdutt Padikkal.

The most interesting thing is how things have changed now for Devdutt Padikkal. The same Karnataka batter once struggled in practice, but he is now playing fearless cricket in big matches and winning games for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Devdutt Padikkal steals show with agresssive knock in RCB vs GT IPL 2026 clash

During RCB’s five-wicket win against Gujarat Titans on April 24, Padikkal showed a completely different side of his game. Chasing massive 206, the right-handed batter played an attacking knock of 55 runs in just 27 balls. His 115-run partnership with Virat Kohli (81) made the chase look easy.

Read Also: 'Virat Kohli is not just known as king…': Sunil Gavaskar drops massive statement amid IPL 2026

After the RCB vs GT game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Steyn shared something interesting about his former teammate. The Proteas star revealed that he deliberately used to bowl a lot of short balls at Padikkal in the nets during his time with the RCB.

His aim was to show his pace and push for a place in the playing XI, and Padikkal had to face those tough deliveries. At that time, the young batter was struggling with short-pitched bowling, and he had to go through some hard moments while facing one of the fastest bowlers in the world.

Dale Steyn makes a shocking revelation after Devdutt Padikkal's complete transformation

Now, the story has completely changed. Padikkal has worked on his game and improved a lot, especially against short balls. The RCB batter is now aggressive and handling short balls much better and playing with more confidence and freedom.

Dale Steyn was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo: “When I played for RCB, in my last season I was trying to get into the team. I felt that the only way I was going to get into the team was by showing real pace in the nets. Poor Dev was taking it for me. I was bouncing him. I was almost trying to hurt him to show [Mike] Hesson that I can get into that team.”

Steyn added, “I walked away that season thinking he's a guy that shows a lot of skill, but he's going to struggle with the short ball. Now, I look at him and go, 'Now he's got it.' He's figured it out. Fear has gone out of the window.”

Read Also: RR vs SRH: Why Rajasthan Royals, not RCB or PBKS, look IPL 2026’s most dangerous team

Ian Bishop impressed by Devdutt Padikkal’s new aggressive avatar

Even former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop has noticed this change. The broadcaster feels Devdutt Padikkal is no longer just a stylish player but someone who can attack and dominate bowlers.

Bishon said during the same discussion, “We have seen this kid in years gone by, and he seems to have this relationship with Virat. I think when he scored his hundred in the IPL, Virat was at the crease with him, and Virat lorded all over him, rightly so.

I thought touch player, good. But what he's done this season—the aggression, the ability to get good balls away—I find it mind-blowing. It's like, 'No one come and tell me that in the future you can't improve as a cricketer at some stage.'"