Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 72 and youngster Devdutt Padikkal scored an impressive 63 runs to help RCB easily defeat Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets.
Even though Yuzvendra Chahal was awarded the man of the match, but young batsman Devdutt Padikkal won the hearts of fans with his batting. Devdutt Padikkal proved that he is a player to watch out for by scoring brilliant fifties in 3 out of 4 matches he played.
Devdutt also made a special record in that game. In the history of IPL, Devdutt Padikkal is the only batsman to have scored three fifty plus scores in 3 innings in the first 4 innings of IPL. Earlier no batsman had done this feat in IPL.
Devdutt Padikkal hammered 6 fours and 1 six during his 63-run innings. His flick shot won the hearts of fans who have described his style of playing as similar to that of legend Yuvraj Singh. Even Yuvi tweeted to challenge Padikkal for who hits the longest six. But Padikkal subtly denied the legend.
“Form is temporary class is forever ! @imVkohli however I haven’t seen this boy out of form since last 8 years which is unbelievable actually ! Paddikal looks really good need to bat together and see who hits longer,” Yuvraj Singh tweeted.
“Not competing with you paji. Learnt the flick from you. Always wanted to bat with you. Let’s go!,” he added.
RCB stopped Rajasthan Royals' chariot for 154 runs in 20 overs in the match played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Saturday. The fielding standard of the Virat Kohli-led team was of high order. The pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Devdutt Padikkal took some great catches during the match.
Chasing 155 runs, Virat Kohli and Padikkal shared a 99-run partnership together. Paddikal was dismissed for 63, but Kohli kept on playing till the end and scored an unbeaten innings of 72, took RCB to victory.