IPL 2026: Always had that soft spot for RCB, says Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal has said that he has always had a soft spot for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Prior to IPL 2025, Padikkal played for RCB in 2020 and 2021. He is one of 17 RCB members who have been retained ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

The left-handed batsman described the feeling as “weird” while playing for other IPL franchises. He also confessed that he has always wanted RCB to play to their full potential, dating back to his boyhood.

“It was weird. My friends and family were supporting me. Coming out to play for other teams against RCB was always a little bit weird. Obviously, I’m still motivated the same way in terms of wanting to perform and doing things for the franchise I was playing for. But I’ve always had that soft spot for RCB and always looked at their games as games I love to watch and see them do well as well,” shared Padikkal while speaking on RCB Podcast.

Devdutt Padikkal also reflected on the feeling of not being able to play in front of the Chinnaswamy during his first two seasons with the franchise due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“I’ve always wanted to play in front of the Chinnaswamy in the IPL and whenever I’ve come here and played for other teams, it’s not been the same to be honest. It’s never felt the same in terms of doing it for RCB. When I was in RCB before, unfortunately we couldn’t have games here so it was pretty heartbreaking,” he added.