IPL 2020: Devdutt Padikkal Reveals To Have Learnt A Lot From Virat Kohli

Devdutt Padikkal’s confident and enterprising innings was one of the highlights as Royal Challengers Bangalore sneaked a ten-run victory over SunRisers Hyderabad on Monday in Dubai. Devdutt Padikkal exuded flamboyance in a stroke-filled half-century at the opening spot to set things in motion for RCB. The 20-year old credited skipper Virat Kohli, who taught him a lot ahead of the IPL.

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Devdutt Padikkal got the nod ahead of veteran keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel to open with Aaron Finch. The Kerala batsman has an outstanding T20 record, scoring 636 runs in 12 games at 63.60 along with six half-centuries and a hundred. Australian captain Aaron Finch watched at the non-striker’s end for the most part as the youngster played some elegant shots. He lost his wicket in the 11th over to Vijay Shankar for a 43-ball 56 as the opening stand was worth 90.

Devdutt Padikkal revealed feeling nervous, knowing he was going to make his debut for RCB. The 20-year old felt good after hitting two balls, settled in, and went on to craft a defining knock. He added that Virat taught him a lot over the past month during training sessions and is always open for questions.

“I was very nervous when I got the news that I would be making my debut for RCB. I was just walking in my room the day I got the news that I will be playing against Hyderabad. When I came to bat, I got settled then, when I played my first two balls, I really felt good. “For the past month we have been training here, Virat Bhaiya has talked to me and I have learnt a lot from him. Whenever I am with him, I keep asking questions from him,” Padikkal said as quoted by News18.

“Playing today with Finch felt amazing” : Devdutt Padikkal

The southpaw stated that playing alongside Aaron Finch was an excellent experience too. Since Padikkal was scoring quickly, the Australian skipper put him on strike, showing confidence. RCB will lock horns against Kings XI Punjab at the same venue on Thursday.

“Playing today with Finch felt amazing. He understood that I was scoring quickly, so he gave me the strike and showed confidence in me,” he added.

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