"Serious Talent": Virat Kohli Recalls His First Impression Of Devdutt Padikkal

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli is might impressed with Devdutt Padikkal. The left-handed opener has put on a show in the IPL 2020 and continues to impress one and all with his fine performances. Padikkal also stitched a key stand with Kohli in RCB’s victory against Rajasthan Royals.

Padikkal on Saturday scored 63 runs off 45 deliveries to help RCB chase down the target easily while forging a key partnership with his captain Virat Kohli. His knock was laced with six boundaries and one hit over the fence as he batted at the strike rate of 140.

I told Simon Katich that this guy has some serious talent: Virat Kohli

Kohli recalled his first impression of Padikkal. The RCB captain went up to head coach and said that he has some serious talent as he has got great reach, eye and balance. Kohli also mentioned that the 20-year-old can hit the shots so clean that it doesn’t looks like he is taking risks.

“I saw him play and told Simon (Katich) that this guy has got some serious talent because he’s got reach, a great eye, a great balance. It’s very difficult for the bowlers to continue bowling same lines and lengths against a leftie. The way he bats … very clean shots. You don’t feel like he is taking risks,” Kohli said.

“I just kept talking to him about building an innings. If he can bat longer for the team, it’s gonna benefit us. Today he carried from 40 to 65 odd which helped the team eventually. He’s a smart guy, he understands the game well and he responds to the feedback very well. The more he keeps learning, the better it is for RCB.”