Devdutt Padikkal Names Most Challenging Bowler he Faced in IPL 2020

Devdutt Padikkal recently opened up on the most challenging bowler he has faced in the just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). The 20-year-old Padikkal made his debut in the IPL 2020 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) young opener Devdutt Padikkal recently opened up on the most challenging bowler he has faced in the just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 20-year-old Padikkal made his debut in the Indian Premier League 2020 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He had been in a great form throughout the season. He was also the highest run scorer of Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has played 14 games and accumulated 473 runs, including five half centuries at a strike rate of 124.80 and an average of 31.53. He also holds a record for most fifties by an uncapped batsman in his debut season.

He impressed many with his solid technique, temperament, and ability to provide good starts to his team consistently. He was also awarded the Emerging Player of the IPL-2020 trophy for his stellar show.

Padikkal faced some of the best bowlers of the world in the tournament and even scored runs against them. The RCB star recently revealed which bowler he found the most challenging to face during the cash-rich league.

On asking if he was nervous facing speedsters like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada, Padikkal replied that he is used he is used to facing pace as there are quite a few fast bowlers in the domestic circuit who clock good speed. He picked Sunrisers Hyderabad spinner Rashid Khan as the most challenging bowler to face.

“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.

Despite his brilliant performance in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, he was not given a place in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Australia as he still has to prove his worth. The left-hander is focused on his dream of playing for India and wants to grab the opportunities with both hands when they come his way.

“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.