Devdutt Padikkal is one of the reasons for the great start to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) title defence. The tall left-hander struck fifties in both the RCB matches at this Indian Premier League (IPL).
And he made those runs at frenetic pace – 61 off 26 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 50 off 29 against Chennai Super Kings. The hard work behind the scenes is paying off for him.
“Over the last couple of years, I have been actively working on trying to improve my strike rate,” he said. “I am glad that those processes and that hard work that has gone behind the scenes are really coming to fruition now.”
READ | RR vs RCB, IPL 2026: Unbeaten sides meet in battle Royal(e)
He stressed batting was not just about the strike rate. “It is important that at the end of the day, you play the situation as well,” he said. “It is important that you continue to help the team win games, and as long as I am able to contribute, I am very happy.”
He said he took a lot of confidence from the domestic season. “I have scored a lot of runs coming into the season and I was really consistent,” he said. “Whenever you have that performance behind you, it gives you confidence.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s match against Rajasthan Royals, he said it could be a difficult one for his team. “They have a really good side and some really exciting and talented young players,” Padikkal said. “But at the same time, we are coming into this game with some confidence.”
Published on Apr 09, 2026
![The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1775744519384 "The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com")
![The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com](https://i1.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1775744519384?ssl=1 "The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com")
_202649_192643_m.webp?ssl=1 "इंदौर में अब हवा में नहीं मिलेगा खाना! बंद हुआ फ्लाइंग रेस्टोरेंट, हाई कोर्ट ने जनहित याचिका का किया निराकरण")
