Rashid Khan Dismisses Devdutt Padikkal for Fifth Time in IPL as RCB Slip to 126/7

Key facts

• Rashid Khan dismissed Devdutt Padikkal in the 14th over of Match 42 of IPL 2026.
• Padikkal scored 40 runs off 24 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes.
• RCB were reduced to 126/7 after Padikkal's wicket.
• Rashid has now dismissed Padikkal 5 times in 8 IPL innings.
• Padikkal averages 7.6 against Rashid, scoring 38 runs from 41 balls.
• Padikkal has faced 17 dot balls against Rashid, with only 2 sixes and 1 four.
• The match was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

A Familiar Duel Decides a Crucial Phase

In the 14th over of Match 42 of the Indian Premier League 2026, Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan breached the defense of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Devdutt Padikkal, dismissing him for the fifth time in their IPL encounters. The wicket, which came at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, left RCB reeling at 126 for seven, turning a promising innings into a precarious position. Padikkal, who had looked set for a half-century, was forced to watch from the non-striker's end for a period before Rashid struck. The left-hander's 24-ball stay yielded 40 runs, with five boundaries and two sixes, but his departure exposed the fragility of the RCB middle order.

The Numbers Behind the Rivalry

The statistics underscore a one-sided contest. across eight IPL innings, Padikkal has managed only 38 runs from 41 balls against Rashid, at a strike rate of 92.68 and an average of 7.6. He has been dismissed five times, meaning Rashid gets his wicket more than half the times they face off. Padikkal has faced 17 dot balls from the Afghan spinner, with just two sixes and a solitary four to show for his efforts. The lack of scoring opportunities and the frequency of dismissals highlight a matchup that has consistently favored the bowler.

The Moment That Shifted the Innings

Padikkal was building momentum after a difficult phase, having struck two sixes in his innings. However, Rashid's delivery in the 14th over cut short that momentum. The dismissal not only ended a 40-run knock but also left RCB with only three wickets in hand, placing the onus on the lower order to salvage the innings. The timing of the wicket—just as Padikkal was approaching a fifty—made it particularly damaging. RCB's total of 126 for 7 after 14 overs meant the team faced an uphill task to post a competitive score, with the batting side already having lost seven wickets.

A Recurring Theme in IPL 2026

Match 42 of IPL 2026 served as another reminder of the dominance Rashid Khan holds over Devdutt Padikkal. The duel, which has now produced five dismissals in eight innings, is one of the most one-sided in the league. For RCB, the challenge is to find a way to neutralize Rashid's threat when Padikkal is at the crease. For Padikkal, the statistical shadow grows longer with each encounter. His average of 7.6 against Rashid is a stark contrast to his overall IPL numbers, and the left-hander will need to devise a strategy to counter the spinner's variations in future meetings.

Implications for the Match and Beyond

The dismissal left RCB in a precarious position, needing contributions from their lower order to reach a defendable total. The team's hopes now rest on the remaining batsmen, who must navigate the remaining overs against a Gujarat Titans bowling attack that includes Rashid Khan. For the Titans, the wicket was a timely breakthrough that reinforced their grip on the match. Rashid's ability to deliver in crucial moments has been a hallmark of his IPL career, and this performance further cements his reputation as a match-winner.

A Statistical Anomaly in T20 Cricket

In a format where batters often dominate, the Padikkal-Rashid matchup stands out as a statistical anomaly. Padikkal's inability to score freely against Rashid, coupled with the high dismissal rate, suggests a technical or psychological edge for the bowler. The numbers—five dismissals in eight innings, an average of 7.6, and a strike rate under 100—paint a clear picture. For Padikkal, breaking this pattern will require more than just a change in approach; it may necessitate a fundamental rethinking of how he faces wrist-spin in high-pressure situations.

The bottom line

• Rashid Khan has dismissed Devdutt Padikkal five times in eight IPL innings, making it one of the most one-sided bowler-batter matchups in the league.
• Padikkal averages just 7.6 against Rashid, with 38 runs from 41 balls and 17 dot balls faced.
• The wicket in Match 42 left RCB at 126/7, exposing their middle-order fragility.
• Padikkal's 40-run knock was cut short just as he was building toward a half-century.
• The duel highlights a recurring challenge for RCB when facing Rashid Khan in crucial phases of the innings.