Kohli lauds Padikkal after decisive stand in Chinnaswamy chase

Virat Kohli heaped praise on Devdutt Padikkal and his ability to play orthodox cricketing shots while still scoring at close to a strike-rate of 200. The RCB pair added 115 runs for the second wicket in just 59 balls chasing 205 against Gujarat Titans. Padikkal set the tempo by lifting his first ball for a six and went on to clear the ropes five more times in a blistering 27-ball knock of 55.

It was the second time the pair had combined to help RCB chase down a 200+ total at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, having also put on 101 off 45 in the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"I mean, we had to assess the wicket early on. Because A, they have a quality bowling attack, and B, with a chase of 200 in Bangalore, we know we're only one partnership away. I think Dev's done it twice this season – where he's come in and absolutely played a blinder from ball one," Kohli said after RCB's victory.

"You never see him slogging the ball. You feel like he's not giving you a sniff in the game and yet he's scoring so freely. So I think Dev's innings was the clear difference."

With Padikkal racing off the blocks, Kohli picked his moments to attack and made the Titans pay for dropping him off the first ball with a 44-ball 81 that effectively closed the game.

"I was just trying to stay in the game enough so that he doesn't feel all the pressure. And it was my responsibility to try and hit boundaries at the right times. Dev was going great guns and the idea was just to keep pressing the bowlers back. There was intent and clarity and feedback from the other end. So we didn't have any doubts whatsoever through the partnership. That partnership was the game sealer and the game changer for us eventually," Kohli added.

In the post-match press conference, Padikkal returned the praise. "I think the biggest thing for me is his energy and intensity that he brings to every single game, every single net session. He still continues to give his 100 percent in every single practice session and every single match. When you see someone so driven and so passionate about the game, it really rubs off to everybody in the side as well."