Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal's fourth 80+ run partnership of IPL 2025 has propelled them into second place for the most runs as a pair this season.

Padikkal and Kohli put together a 95-run partnership for the second wicket against Rajasthan Royals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, marking their fourth 50+ partnership of the season, with each of the four partnerships surpassing 80 runs.

Former South African great Shaun Pollock weighed in on why Kohli and Padikkal make such a strong partnership, explaining that Kohli’s approach perfectly complements Padikkal’s natural talent, especially during the middle phase of an innings.

Pollock explained: “You do mature individually. It’s massive when you have a player of the like of Kohli on the other side, and he’s coming down between deliveries, saying don’t worry, it’s going to be fine.”

Pollock also highlighted how Kohli’s tactical understanding of building an innings helps his partners manage their pace. After a wobbly start, Padikkal found his rhythm by taking on the spin of Riyan Parag and the pace of Tushar Deshpande during the middle overs.

“Just remember who’s going to come, Parag might bowl an over or we can go after Deshpande, just some words of advice to calm him down, to say it’s not the end of the world, just hang in there, your time will come,” explained Pollock about the benefit of having Virat Kohli at the other end.

Most partnership runs in IPL 2025:

Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill: 448 runs

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal: 429 runs

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt: 376 runs

Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler: 352 runs