In the 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPl) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many young batsmen of India grabbed attention with their performances. Among them, the name of opener Devdutt Padikkal of Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Virat Kohli, is far ahead.
In the recently concluded season of IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore may have returned empty handed once again, but the team definitely got a new star this season. 20-year-old young Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal impressed everyone with his batting in his first season.
ALSO READ | From Navjot Sidhu To Gautam Gambhir, Famous Cricketers Who Became Equally Successful Politicians
Devdutt not only became the highest run-scorer for RCB this season, but he also created history by becoming the highest run-scorer in IPL while batting in his first-ever season. Devdutt scored 473 runs in 15 matches. During this time, he also scored 5 half-centuries and received the Emerging Player award.
Padikkal, who played all the matches of the team in IPL 2020, faced many legendary bowlers during this time and now he has revealed which bowler troubled him the most.
In 15 matches he played in the T20 league, Padikkal faced lethal bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada and Enrique Nortje, but Padikkal has revealed that he had to face the biggest challenge in front of the legendary spinner Rashid Khan.
ALSO READ | England To Host India For 5-Test Series In Aug-Sept 2021; Check For Full Schedule, Venues For Matches
"Pace, not really, because there are quite a few bowlers who are pretty quick in the domestic circuit as well. Probably the one bowler I felt was challenging was [legspinner] Rashid Khan, because he has really good pace and turns the ball at the same time. He's not easy to pick. I think while facing him I felt like, "Okay, this is something I'm not used to," Padikkal told ESPN Cricinfo in an interview.
"Now the next step would be to play for the country. It's something everyone dreams of as a cricketer, so I'm looking forward to doing that soon. I'll continue to work on my game, continue to improve and, whenever I get the opportunity, I'll take it with both hands," said Padikkal.
ALSO LISTEN | Car Mein Patrakar interview by Sumit Awasthi with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju