Padikkal Unplugged: From Ulcerative Colitis to Test Cap and IPL Comeback with RCB
Devdutt Padikkal Gets Candid: RCB Comeback, Health Battles & IPL Dream
BNH NETWORK
Devdutt Padikkal: “Playing Test Cricket Was My Dream, But Winning the IPL for RCB Is My Goal”
Bengaluru : As Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up for a high-voltage IPL clash against Delhi Capitals, Devdutt Padikkal took center stage off the field with an emotional and powerful appearance on the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries.
In a rare, in-depth conversation, the 23-year-old Karnataka batter delved into the highs, lows, and inner battles that have shaped his cricketing journey.
“RCB Was Always My Team”
“I’ve been an RCB fan since I started watching the IPL,” said Padikkal, recounting childhood memories from the Chinnaswamy stands. “I still remember smashing those inflatable balloons, cheering every boundary—it meant something.”
Now back with the franchise that shaped his early IPL days, he’s laser-focused: “My only dream is to win the IPL for RCB.”
On Battling Ulcerative Colitis and Mental Resilience
In 2022, Padikkal was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a serious condition that forced him to miss months of cricket. “I lost about 10–11 kilos, felt constant fatigue, and had to step away from the game,” he shared. “It’s something I’ll probably deal with for life.”
Despite the setback, his return is a lesson in mental strength. “As a cricketer in India, sometimes you fight more off the field than on it. But I’ve learned to manage it better over the years.”
“The Day I Got My Test Cap, I Cried All Night”
Recalling the moment of his Test debut for India, Padikkal described it as “the most emotional day of my life.”
“To go to bed dreaming of Test cricket, then wake up to that becoming real—it’s surreal,” he said. “I cried that evening, not out of sadness, but fulfillment.”
On Virat Kohli’s Mentorship
“Working with Virat bhaiya was something else. In my third year at RCB, he mentored me for two months, and I learned so much—just from being around him. I’ll carry that forever.”
On Red vs White Ball Transition
The rising star also spoke candidly about how different T20 cricket has become:
“You grow up learning the game one way with red-ball cricket, then you need to unlearn and re-learn for T20s. That’s the challenge. And I’m evolving each season to keep up.”
On the Changing Game and Future Goals
“Cricket’s changing. The IPL is now the biggest platform for young players. That said, I still hope red-ball cricket continues to thrive. It’s where our fundamentals are built.”
“Winning IPL for RCB is My Ultimate Dream”
Padikkal concluded with a powerful note that will hit every RCB fan right in the heart:
“Even when I wasn’t with RCB, I hoped they’d win. Now that I’m back, there’s only one mission—bring that trophy home.”
