IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore Urged Virat Kohli To Mentor Devdutt Padikkal Last Season, Reveals RCB Coach Simon Katich

Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Simon Katich revealed that they urged Virat Kohli to mentor Devdutt Padikkal during last season. Padikkal, who made his debut in IPL 2020, has become a crucial part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in a short time. The left-handed batsman has been doing a great job with Virat Kohli as an opener in IPL 2021.

Devdutt Padikkal came to the limelight in his 2^nd match of IPL 2021 itself after smashing a century. Padikkal smacked a 101-run knock against Rajasthan Royals, smashing 6 sixes and 11 boundaries to score his maiden IPL century. He also made an opening partnership of 181 with skipper Virat Kohli to defeat Rajasthan Royals by 10 wickets.

We Asked Virat Kohli To Mentor Devdutt Padikkal: Simon Katich

While speaking to BBC Sports, RCB head coach Simon Katich revealed that RCB management had asked Virat Kohli to guide and mentor Devdutt Padikal during last season.

“Given his experience and the esteem he is held in in Indian cricket, last season we asked Virat to mentor Devdutt. Devdutt was a kid playing his first IPL, which is a long, physically and mentally-draining tournament.

“We saw times when he started really well but there were times when teams started to work him out with their tactics,” the RCB head Simon Katich coach said.

Simon Katich also revealed how Virat Kohli advised Devdutt Padikkal to work on his fitness and tactics after the end of the IPL 2020 tournament.

“There were also times when he (Devdutt Padikkal) started to physically tire, particularly in an innings where we would get to the 20 or 30-ball mark. He could get fatigued, make a mistake and get out.

Virat urged him to work on his fitness when the tournament was over, knowing the standard of IPL is a level above domestic cricket. He’s a great young kid and Virat also talked a lot of tactics with him, how teams were going to bowl at him and how to counter that,” Katich further said.

Devdutt Padikkal missed out on RCB’s opening game in IPL 2021 against Mumbai Indians as he was tested positive for Covid-19. However, he made a strong comeback after returning to the tournament. So far in 4 innings, Devdutt Padikkal has scored 171 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 158+.

Royal Challengers Bangalore thrilled everyone after winning all of their first four games in IPL 2021. However, they lost their 5^th match of IPL 2021 to Chennai Super Kings by 69 runs. RCB holds 3rd spot in IPL 2021 points table which is topped by Chennai Super Kings. Virat Kohli-led RCB will face Delhi Capitals in their next match on April 27 (Tuesday).