IPL 2021: Devdutt Padikkal Has Got Class And Ability To Play For India, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has praised Devdutt Padikkal after the RCB batsman smacked a century against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021. Gavaskar said that the left-handed batsman Padikkal has got the class and ability to play for India. Devdutt Padikkal smashed 101 runs off 52 balls during RCB’s 10-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.

The Karnataka-based cricketer Padikkal shattered Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers by hitting 6 sixes and 11 fours for his maiden IPL ton. Along with Virat Kohli, Padikkal managed an opening stand of 181 runs while chasing a target of 178. Kohli smashed a fifty (72) in the match. Earlier, RCB bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel scalped 3 wickets each to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 177-9.

Devdutt Padikkal Has Got Class And Ability To Play For India: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar lauded Devdutt Padikkal for his magnificent knock against Rajasthan Royals. While speaking on Star Sports, the former Indian cricketer said that he won’t be surprised if Padikkal plays for India in any of the formats soon.

“Won’t be surprised if he plays for India in any of the formats because he has got the class and the ability to do that. He is a heavy scorer in first-class cricket and Ranji Trophy as well gets big hundreds. In 50-overs cricket, he gets lots of runs and hundreds.

“Here, in the T20 domestic tournaments, he got lots of runs. So, I won’t be surprised if he is there sooner rather than later,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar also mentioned that Karnataka has always produced terrific batsmen and Devdutt Padikkal is another one of them.

“Karnataka has always produced a terrific line of batsmen. Gundappa Vishwanath, Rahul Dravid… then KL Rahul. And if KL Rahul, you know, some of the stars need to believe in themselves a little bit more. Sometimes you get the feeling that he doesn’t believe in himself.

“He is such a talented player and there is Mayank Agarwal, there is Karun Nair who got a triple hundred, he also needs to get his act together. It’s a terrific batting line-up Karnataka have, and Devdutt Padikkal is another one in that long line of batsmen who have delighted the Indian cricket lovers,” Sunil Gavaskar further said.

Devdutt Padikkal, who made his debut in IPL 2020, came to the limelight after finishing as the highest run-scorer for RCB last season. He also smashed 5 fifties last season to earn accolades for his batting. He was also awarded the emerging player of the year award in IPL 2020. Now just in his 2^nd game of IPL 2021, Padikkal smashed a century to showcase his batting strength to everyone.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore have won four consecutive matches in IPL 2021 and are unbeaten so far. The Virat Kohli-led side has risen to the top of the IPL 2021 points table with 8 points. RCB will next play against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 25.