he Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are one side who are still in the hunt for their maiden title in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite having one of the most star-studded and energetic squad, it tends to fall short of energy when it comes to winning the title.
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Besides skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, the side bolsters some promising youngsters, while one of them is 20-year-old opening batsman from Karnataka, Devdutt Padikkal. Although he was mostly on the bench last season, having roped in for ₹20 lakh the very season, he fired high in the domestic circuit.
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Padikkal was the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, having scored 580 runs in 12 matches at a promising average of 64.44, including a century and five half-centuries, along with a top score of an unbeaten 122, as Karnataka won the tournament.
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Not just in the T20 circuit, but Padikkal lamented his name in the record books of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50 overs) for the same season, once again becoming the highest run-scorer. He scored 609 runs in 11 matches at another encouraging average of 67.66, including twin centuries and five half-centuries. Karnataka won this tournament too.
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“It was a great season. I took it one match at a time, and I finished as the highest run-scorer in two tournaments. Hopefully, I can take this good form into the IPL as well,” Padikkal was quoted as saying to Sportstar ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
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“Conditions in Dubai are different from what we are used to in India. But we’ve spent a good time in Dubai to get prepared. We can adjust quickly, as we have had some quality training sessions here,” added Padikkal.
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While it would be interesting to see the position where Kohli and his management asks him to bat, Padikkal is certainly set to play his maiden match in the IPL. Also, with the uncertainty over opener Aaron Finch's quarantine protocols, provided it happens, Padikkal is most likely to open in a few matches, where he has an assuring chance to shine and cement his place in the side.
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