Sunil Gavaskar said that Gundappa Viswanath nodded praising future star Devdutt Padikkal after his debut for RCB where he scored 56 off 42 deliveries including eight hits to the fence. Apart from all the glamour, excitement and nail-biting thrilling contests, the IPL is also renowned for providing a platform to some of the best young promising Indian cricketers.
IPL 2020 is no different as Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Ravi Bishnoi and Shivam Mavi hogged the headlines in the first week of the tournament.
While Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi have been playing the IPL for the last two seasons, there was a lot of talk doing the rounds about spinner Ravi Bishnoi in the lead-up to the tournament after performing successfully in the recently concludedU19 World Cup where he was the leading wicket-taker. But Devdutt Padikkal is the one who has really alighted IPL 2020.
Devdutt Padikkal Praised By Sunil Gavaskar And Gundappa Viswanath
The Karnataka left-hander was one of brightest prospects of domestic cricket last season. He has an average of 57.90 and a strike rate of 170.32 in T20 cricket with the highest being 122*. Born in Kerala, Devdutt Padikkal represents Karnataka in domestic cricket.
Devdutt Padikkal has represented India Under-19 and soon after earned a call-up to the Karnataka Ranji Trophy side. He was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 20 lacs at the player auction before IPL 2019.
In RCB’s first match against SRH, he proved he is ready for the big league too if given an opportunity. After the opener’s half-century against SRH, legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on the youngster. Sunil Gavaskar narrated an interesting story about discussing Devdutt Padikkal’s batting with former India batsman Gundappa Viswanath.
Sunil Gavaskar said Gundappa Viswanath, who also happens to his brother-in-law, is not someone who would easily praise a youngster but he had done so for Devdutt Padikkal.
“When he nods you know there is a gem there. He did that with Rahul Dravid, KL Rahul. All he did was nod his head when I asked about Padikkal,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
Devdutt Padikkal smashed 56 and helped RCB get off to a winning start against SRH. AB De Villiers scored 51 too and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 3 wickets conceding only 18 runs to halt the progress of SRH.
Aaron Finch Praises Devdutt Padikkal Who Was Nervous At Start But Maintained Composure Under Pressure
Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal built a partnership of 90 runs for the 1st wicket before both being dismissed. RCB posted 163/5 against SRH and won by 10 runs in the first match but lost the second match to KXIP by 97 runs.
“His composure under pressure was really important and at the start of the innings he was a little bit nervous but he played his natural game,” Aaron Finch had said in a virtual press conference after the match.
“It was really impressive the way he carried himself. Once his innings started to develop he gained confidence and that was great to see.”
“Having seen footage of him playing before, he is an aggressive opening batsman and had done really well in the under 19 and domestic cricket. I am really happy that he played his natural game,” he concluded.
Devdutt Padikkal, however, was dismissed for one in the next match against RCB. But considering the amount of talent he has at his young age, he is sure to play a crucial role for RCB in this IPL.