Virat Kohli Understands The Game So Well; Knows When To Take A Chance Or Pull Back: Devdutt Padikkal
Updated - 30 Mar 2021, 07:40 PM
Indian domestic opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who sizzled in IPL 2020 last year in the UAE, has opened on the experience of batting with Virat Kohli. Devdutt Padikkal, who bagged the emerging player of the tournament award in IPL 2020, warmed himself up for the upcoming season by scoring a truckload of runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The southpaw stated that Virat Kohli’s energy level encourages anyone to push oneself too.
Devdutt Padikkal, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, mustered 473 runs in 15 games at 31.53, keeping a strike rate of 124.80 alongside five fifties. The 20-year old also shared some match-winning partnerships with his captain Virat Kohli last year. With Kohli declaring that he would open the innings in IPL 2021, the duo’s pair could become one of the fearsome ones in the 14th edition.
Devdutt Padikkal stated that Virat Kohli plays at a high level and it feels like one has to push themselves to match his standard. Padikkal admitted that it has helped him improve his game since the 32-year old has a great understanding of the game, fathoming when to push back or attack. Thus, having a partner at the other end who has ample knowledge makes it exceptionally easy.
“He plays at such a high level; when you are batting with him, you feel you have to really push yourself and match the standard at which he plays. That helped improve my game. Batting with him, he makes the game pretty easy. He understands the game so well, when to take a chance and when to pull back, and when to really go after the bowling. When you have so much knowledge and experience it makes our job very easy at the other end,” Padikkal told Hindustan Times.
The ultimate goal is to play for India in the longest format: Devdutt Padikkal
The Karnataka-born cricketer said that his goal is to play for India in the longest format and is trying to take one game at a time as far as short-term goals are concerned. Devdutt Padikkal conceded that he has tried to do the same in the last couple of years and wants to deliver impactful performances in every game he plays.
“The ultimate goal is to play for India in the longest format. In the short term, I am going to focus on each game at a time. That’s what I have tried to do in the past couple of years. It didn’t matter if I was playing IPL or a domestic tournament. I just wanted to make sure every game I play, I make an impact and improve,” he added.
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IPL 2021 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Virat Kohli
