Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol

A Surprising Revelation Before the IPL 2026 Final

As the cricket world turns its attention toward the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the high-stakes IPL 2026 Final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Gujarat Titans, star batter Devdutt Padikkal has made headlines for his candid reflections on his cricketing journey. While many expected the young talent to cite his long-time RCB teammate and franchise icon Virat Kohli as his primary influence, Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol instead.

This admission has sparked significant conversation among fans and analysts alike, particularly given the close proximity Padikkal has shared with Kohli in the RCB dressing room over the years. However, Padikkal’s choices—Gautam Gambhir and the legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh—reflect a deep-seated admiration for the icons of India’s golden era of white-ball cricket.

Why Gambhir and Yuvraj?

When asked about the players he grew up watching, Padikkal noted that selecting just one was a difficult task. He ultimately identified the current Indian team head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and the explosive Yuvraj Singh as his greatest inspirations. Both figures were instrumental in India’s historic triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

Gambhir, celebrated for his temperament and ability to thrive under the immense pressure of big-match scenarios, and Yuvraj, known for his fearless, game-changing batting style, clearly left a lasting impression on the young left-hander. Their ability to deliver when it mattered most seems to have mirrored Padikkal’s own development into a high-impact player.

Reflecting on a Career Milestone

Beyond his childhood idols, Padikkal took the opportunity to look back at the moments that define his professional trajectory. When asked about his most special memory in the IPL, the answer was simple yet profound: the sheer joy of winning and holding the trophy aloft. For a player hungry for collective success, the team’s journey to the summit clash carries significant weight.

Padikkal also recalled the most memorable innings of his career—a sensational century against the Rajasthan Royals during the 2021 season. In that dominant 10-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium, he smashed an unbeaten 101 off just 52 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes. When discussing his favorite technical aspect of the game, he pointed to the elegant flick shot as his go-to weapon.

The Stories Behind the Scenes

Every cricketer has a unique story, and Padikkal’s path is no different. He provided insight into his jersey number, 37, explaining that its origin lies in his mother’s belief in astrology. Furthermore, he credited former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull for popularizing his widespread nickname, ‘DDP’.

A Career-Best Season

The 2026 season has been nothing short of transformative for Padikkal. His evolution as a batter is evident in the statistics: in 15 matches, he has accumulated 463 runs at a solid average of 35.62. Perhaps most impressively, he has adopted a far more aggressive approach, maintaining a strike rate of 170.85 throughout the tournament. With three half-centuries to his name and a peak score of 61, his contribution has been vital to Royal Challengers Bengaluru reaching their second consecutive IPL final.

As the team prepares for the ultimate showdown, Padikkal remains focused on the task at hand. Whether or not his childhood idols Gambhir and Yuvraj are watching, his recent performance suggests he is channeling their legendary big-match temperament on the biggest stage of them all.