Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal, who recently recovered from Covid-19, is confident of carrying forward his domestic form to the IPL 2021. The 20-year-old had a phenomenal run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and wishes his form to stay even for the IPL, where he is likely to make his return in the next game. The youngster was tested positive for covid-19 at the end of March. However, after three negative test reports for the same, the opener finally joined the RCB side in Chennai last week.
Bold Diaries: Devdutt Padikkal Interview
After a roller coaster ride in the last six months, a fit and rejuvenated Devdutt Padikkal is raring to gung-ho again. Watch his interview on @myntra presents Bold Diaries.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/7CFkJFb4Sw
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 12, 2021
Despite being so young and inexperienced, Devdutt Padikkal stood out for RCB last season. He ended up being the top scorer for his team by scoring 473 runs in 15 matches. In his maiden stint with Bangalore, the opener hit five half-centuries with a strike rate of about 125. He should be eyeing an improvement in his strike rate during IPL 2021.
Earlier this year, Padikkal was stupendous during the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy where he scored 218 runs at an average of 43.60 in six matches. His sublime form continued during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 737 runs in seven matches, which included four centuries and three half-centuries. The confident young hitter is expected to continue his fabulous streak and display some of the best of his versions in the blockbuster tournament.
Padikkal is also looking forward to learning more from the experienced batting trio of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell. After missing the first game against Mumbai Indians, the youngster is likely to feature against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 14. RCB had tried Washington Sundar as an opener in Padikkal’s absence during the first game last Friday. Sundar will move down the order, and Rajat Paridar is likely to make way for Padikkal in RCB’s second league game this week.