TOP STORIES

"Coming into this game after two ducks": RCB star lauds Kohli's scintillating knock

Thursday, 14-May-2026, 11:58 AM
News

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal has lauded legend Virat Kohli's innings against KKR on Wednesday in Raipur, where he knocked off a match-winning century to guide RCB to a six-wicket win. Kohli, who headed into the match after registering two ducks in his previous two knocks, bounced back in a scintillating fashion, crashing his ninth IPL hundred. 

"It was incredible to watch. I think I had the best seat in the house. Some of the shots he played were simply remarkable," Padikkal said at the press conference.

"Obviously, coming into this game after two ducks is never easy, and he showed why he is who he is. To not have that on his mind and to just go out there and bat the way he does was something incredible. Really happy to see him get those runs."

Padikkal forged a 92-run stand with Virat Kohli to anchor the innings as they both put the pressure back on KKR bowlers. Speaking on his partnership and approach, Padikkal, who scored 39 off 27 deliveries, said that they were only looking to take the side to a comfortable position.

"I don't think we really went into the specifics of anchoring. It was more about making sure we took the game to a certain stage where we felt the rest of our batting line-up would be in a comfortable position. I think, over the last couple of games, we've been in situations where we lost a couple of wickets early and never stitched partnerships together. I think it was important today that once I went in, both of us spoke about elongating that partnership for as long as possible and then taking it from there," he said.

Padikkal praised Kohli’s temperament and ability to bounce back strongly after enduring two consecutive ducks earlier in the tournament. He also highlighted Kohli’s unmatched consistency over the years, saying that the former RCB captain always comes back stronger.

"Honestly, it doesn't really change anything. You've played so much cricket in your career. Everyone who is out here comes to perform. No one is going to score in every single game. That's part of the game, and he understands that better than anybody else. He always bounces back and always gets runs, and he showed why he is the best in the business," he added.



Tags

More News

News

Women's T20 World Cup All-round India crush Netherlands

8 hrs ago


India women clinched a massively thumping 95-run victory over the Netherlands women in their Women’s T20 World Cup clash at Headingley on Wednesday, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma playing their incredible roles. The emphatic win took India to the top of Group A. This was India's second consecutive win in the tournament after they kicked off t...


News

Gill, Kishan blast tons to steer India to victory over Afghanistan

10 hrs ago

India cruised to a commanding 170-run win in the second ODI over Afghanistan at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. India, after being asked to bat, overcame an early setback to pile up a massive total of 402 runs before being bundled out in 49.5 overs. They got off to a shaky start when Yashasvi Jais...


News

Conway returns to New Zealand's central contract list

20 hrs ago

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the list of 20 centrally contracted players for the 2026-27 season, with Devon Conway and Blair Tickner returning to the group. The duo replaces young spinner Adi Ashok and pace bowler Muhammad Abbas, who were part of the previous contract list. 

Conway, over the past two years, was under a casual playing agree...


News

West Indies recall Da Silva and Jangoo for Sri Lanka Tests, pacers Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph also return

21 hrs ago

West Indies have announced their squad for the upcoming two-match World Test Championship (WTC) series against Sri Lanka, with wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva and batter Amir Jangoo earning recalls to the Test setup. The series, scheduled to begin later this month in the Caribbean, will be an important assignment for West Indies as they look to strengthen t...


News

Jamie Smith set to miss second New Zealand Test, young star James Rew gear up for Test debut

22 hrs ago

England will miss the services of Jamie Smith in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after the wicketkeeper-batter withdrew from the match following the birth of his daughter. In the wake of it, England have brought in highly rated youngster James Rew to make his Test debut.

"Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has been called into the...