IPL 2021: Devdutt Padikkal back with Royal Challengers Bangalore training squad after COVID negative test
Devdutt Padikkal is an uncapped Indian opening batsman for Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he has been playing since 2019. He finished as the side’s highest run-scorer last season, with RCB finishing at the fourth spot, as he would play a vital role in the side’s batting this season.
FollowUncapped Indian opener Devdutt Padikkal is one of the rising batting talents who has made a severe impact playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, he is back to training with the side after testing COVID negative.
COVID status
On March 22, Padikkal had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, as he put himself in the home quarantine for ten days. However, he came up with a negative test report last week, leading him to be back with RCB’s training camp on Wednesday.
RCB stated that the management was “in constant touch with Devdutt to ensure his safety and well-being”. Meanwhile, in a video released by RCB, Padikkal responded, “As per BCCI and IPL protocol, I had to quarantine at home for two weeks. Now, I have joined the camp after two negative tests, and I am feeling completely fine now, and I just can’t wait to get back out there and join the RCB camp.”
RCB plays its opening game on Friday during the IPL 2021 opener against defending champion Mumbai Indians in Chennai. It is expected that Padikkal would be included in the playing XI and is also likely to open the innings along with skipper Virat Kohli.
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Response
“They will have Padikkal open the batting. I think he did a fantastic job last year and is another Indian talent coming through. Opening the batting with him will be Virat Kohli. I think that is his prime position. He will be able to time the ball, pierce the gaps during the powerplay. His role will be to bat through the whole innings,” said former Australian chinaman spinner Brad Hogg on his YouTube channel.
“We backed the young kid at the top of the order - Devdutt Padikkal. He did not let us down; he was brilliant,” said RCB head coach Simon Katich to RCB.
About Padikkal
Padikkal is sure to play a crucial role in RCB’s batting line-up, having finished as the highest run-scorer last season, scoring 473 in 15 innings at an average of 31.53, including five half-centuries. While he has missed some training, he might be dropped for the season opener and given some time to settle before moving ahead in the second game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 14 in Chennai.
