Royal Challengers Bangalore opening batsman Devdutt Padikkalhas said he idolizes ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir as he was a big-game player and it is one thing he wants to emulate. He said it is in those crunch situations that big players come out and do well for the side and Gautam Gambhir has shown that throughout his career.
In an interview with news agency ANI, he said “He was a big-game player and it is one thing I want to emulate because it is in those crunch situations that those big players come out and do well for the side. He always seemed to do that when the team was under pressure and that is something I would want to do.”
Padikkal had a breakthrough IPL season last year. The left-handed opening batsman was the highest run-scorer for RCB last year scoring 473 runs with a strike rate of 124.80, outperforming the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
When asked about opening with Virat Kohli, Padikkal insisted that his game has become much easier due to the presence of the Indian captain. He also had special praise for AB de Villiers for keeping things simple during his batting.
Paddikal entered the ongoing edition of the tournament on the back of a successful domestic season he finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy as the second-highest run-scorer behind Delhi Capitals Prithvi Shaw. He finished with a tally of 737 runs.
The 20-year-old was tested positive for COVID -19. on March 22 and missed the opening match of the season against defending champions Mumbai Indians. He has not found his rhythm and only being able to score 36 runs so far in two matches, but remains an important player for RCB.
The young opening batsman is also enjoying a commercial growth. Devdutt Paddikal along with his teammate Washington Sundar recently signed a long-term partnership deal with International sportswear giant Puma. They will join Puma’s roaster of cricketers with the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, along with legend Yuvraj Singh