Former Team India skipper Kris Srikkanth sheds admiration on the young RCB opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who was the talk of the night against their victory against SRH in Dubai last Monday.
The 2020 Indian Premier League season started brilliantly for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Virat Kohli-led franchise snatched a superb win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Stadium on 21st September, thanks to a superb defence from the RCB bowling squad, restricting SRH’s chasing.
However, it was the 20-year-old Devdutt Padikkal who stole the show in the first innings. The former India U-19 player, who has been a part of the Bengaluru-based franchise since 2019, opened up the innings with a swashbuckling 56 runs off 42 balls, which included eight boundaries.
Meanwhile, former Men in Blue skipper and a legendary figure in the country’s cricket fraternity, Kris Srikkanth commends Devdutt Padikkal for his fireworks against SRH and also hints a bright future for the youngster.
Devdutt Padikkal should go some distance: Kris Srikkanth
A Karnataka cricket team batsman, Devdutt Padikkal also plays for Karnataka Premier League franchise Ballari Tuskers. He also played for India A squad in the 2019–20 Deodhar Trophy.
The former Men in Blue batsman expressed his admiration towards Padikkal as he wrote in Times of India: “I was mighty impressed by what I saw of Devdutt Padikkal in his first game. Adapting to a bigger stage is never easy and the youngster showed the right attitude in registering a match-winning performance.”
Srikkanth also pointed out how the youngster took his time facing the SRH pace bowlers, which he claims is vital for an opening batsman.
“What struck me most about the 20-year-old was that he staying still and playing the ball late,” he went on, “offering a straight bat is always an advantage but that didn’t bring down his scoring areas. A good all-round batsman, Padikkal looks to have that extra second against the seamers, so crucial for an opener.”
Such a stellar performance in the IPL opener has Padikkal catching everyone’s attention, and Srikkanth himself admits that he has a bright future, but should play his organic batting technique.
“If the knock against Hyderabad is any indication, Padikkal should go some distance. My only wish is, he be left alone and allowed to play his natural, free-flowing game,” Srikkanth acknowledged.
RCB, currently third in the points table, is returning to Dubai today evening to take on Kings XI Punjab.
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