One of the biggest advantages of having a vibrant and dynamic league like the IPL is the constant discovery of quality talent. Numerous teams have discovered and nurtured young talents who have rewarded teams with phenomenal dividends. Teams such as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are known to have great scouting teams and finding hidden talents.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore found a similar talent in the form of opening batsman Devdut Padikkal. He opened for them in 2020 and 20211 and had two back to back 400 plus runs. He was instrumental in providing depth at the top of the order to RCB. In the 2022 IPL auctions, he was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for INR 7.75 crores. With his presence in the team, Rajasthan filled in their quintessential requirement for a quality Indian batsman in the middle order.
Devdutt Padikkal takes RCB to the cleaners
Rajasthan today take on RCB in their third match of the season. RCB and Rajasthan fans were excited because Chahal and Padikkal would be facing their ex-team. There was palpable excitement when Yashasvi Jaiswal got before the 2nd over. Devdutt came out to bat with great intent and attempted to give the team a fillip with aggressive batting. He hit 2 fours and 2 sixes to score 37 runs with a strike rate of close to 130. However, the most exciting part of his batting was when on the 3rd ball of the second over of Mohammad Siraj, he picked the juicy half volley off his legs and flicked it for an effortless six over backward square leg.
The strike was reminiscent of how another ex-RCB batsman, Yuvraj Singh batted. A high back-lift, strong use of writs and clean swing of the bat, all of these qualities are similar to both Padikkal and Yuvraj. Fans have often in the past compared the two for their batting similarities and six-hitting abilities.
Devdutt Padikkal has impressed Yuvraj Singh with his strokeplay
Will we see see a few of those flicks again tonight?#IPL2020 #RCBvDC pic.twitter.com/4EwpjeGTbT
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 5, 2020
Early signs of Yuvraj Singh. Devdutt Padikkal – What an assest 🔥
How about batting together? @YUVSTRONG12 😉#RCBvDC #Yuvraj #DevduttPadikkal pic.twitter.com/YWfz4IzglK
— Times of Sports (@timesofsports) October 5, 2020
Devdutt Padikkal style reminds of Yuvraj Singh. Good to see him bat at no.4. India need a a strong middle order batsman like him in the white ball cricket.
— Abhijit Deshmukh (@iabhijitdesh) March 29, 2022
Devdutt Padikkal reminds me so much of Yuvraj Singh—High backlist & lovely swing of the bat
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 2, 2020
Devdutt Padikkal is exciting…
Combination of #Ganguly n #YuvrajSingh from 1st impression…#RCB has given him an opportunity in the first game itself…
Now their batting looking great…
— Iʀsʜᴀᴅ (@irshad5005) September 21, 2020
The next one in the line to play from Karnataka to Team India is Devdutt Padikkal.. His batting style is very much similar to Yuvraj Singh.. Hope he will make it big. #RCBvRR #IPL2020 @RCBTweets @IPL
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 3, 2020
Devdutt Padikkal is giving the glimpses of Yuvraj Singh.. The bat swing is very very similar… #IPL #IPL2020 #Dream11IPL
— Jayavasanthakumar.. (@VasanthJVK) October 12, 2020
