The Rise Of Devdutt Padikkal Has Added Extra Spice In The Top Four Of RCB: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg, former Australian leg-spinner, feels that the rise of rookie opener Devdutt Padikkal in this years’ IPL has added extra spice to the Royal Challengers Bangalore [RCB] top-order and his consistency has taken a huge weight off the shoulders of their big guns in AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and Aaron Finch.

Padikkal has been brilliant at the top of the order for RCB thus far. The rookie southpaw has thus far scored three half-centuries in seven games and has even outperformed his more experienced opening partner in Aaron Finch as far as consistency is concerned.

Hogg took to his Twitter account following RCB’s 82-run mauling of Kolkata Knight Riders where he not only picked Devdutt Padikkal as the ‘player of the tournament’ thus far but also went on to add that the Kohli-led Challengers look like a ‘real deal’ this year.

”The rise of Padikkal has added extra spice in the top four of RCB taking a huge weight off the shoulders of the three big guns Finch, Kohli, & De Villiers. Padikkal the pick of the tournament at the half way mark. @<!---->R<!---->C<!---->B<!---->T<!---->w<!---->e<!---->e<!---->t<!---->s are the real deal this year,” Brad Hogg tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have asserted their authority in the top-4 of the points table following a commanding 82-run win over KKR. RCB are currently at the No.3 spot in the table but besides the win, what was most impressive about Virat Kohli’s side in the last game was the way the bowling attack performed.

The addition of Chris Morris has added potency to their death bowling while the spin-duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar has been terrific. One cause of concern for RCB before the match against KKR was the form of Aaron Finch. Finch had come into this game on the back of poor form in the past few matches but the Aussie white-ball captain was brilliant during his 47, giving indications that he may just have regained his touch.

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