What an absolutely brilliant and mesmerizing debut by this young RCB lad – Devdutt Padikkal, who set Dubai on fire with 36-ball fifty. Devdutt gave a much-needed headstart to the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first-ever match of IPL 2020.
It won’t be wrong to say that the fans just witnessed the birth of a talented young star in the third match of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League in Dubai, UAE. Throughout his power-packed knock, Devdutt dominated SunRisers Hyderabad bowlers by smashing them on all the corners of the ground, helping RCB off to a flier.
For the unversed, Devdutt is only 20-years-old but he has already impressed many with his amazing performances in the domestic circuit. He was the top scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments.
In the ongoing match, the brilliance of Devdutt Padikkal started with the first ball of the second over, bowled by Sandeep Sharma that crossed the boundary, which was followed by a dot ball and another boundary as the youngster displayed his class. In the fourth over as well, Devdutt Padikkal smashed T Natarajan for three fours.
Devdutt Padikkal reached his 50 with a stunning four off 36 balls.
Here’s the stunning shot with help of which Devdutt completed his 50. Have a look:
However, the powerpacked performance soon came to an end after Shankar send the ball into leg stump. Padikkal missed the ball and it hit the stumps. Debutatant Devdutt Padikkal walked back to the pavilion with 56 runs off 42 balls. He won millions of hearts with his stunning performance.
Devdutt Padikkal:
Fifty on First-class debut
Fifty on List-A debut
Fifty on T20 debut
Fifty on IPL debutSerious talent! #IPL2020#RCBvsSRH
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 21, 2020
As soon as he was dismissed, social media was already flooded with amazing reactions from the fans and cricket experts praising his amazing performance.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Devdutt Padikkal….we are witnessing a very special player making a solid first impression. So glad that #RCB has given him an opportunity in the first game itself. #IPL2020 #SRHvRCB
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2020
Outstanding debut from young Padikkal. Can see why there was so much hype about him. Wish him well, he is exciting. Loved the on-side pick-up shot and the drive over mid-off
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 21, 2020
Yuvraj Singh is that you? #Padikkal #RCBvSRH
— उन्नति मदान (@unnati_madan) September 21, 2020
Devdutt has not even tried anything funky. Just putting bat on ball, and easy runs. ?#IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 21, 2020
Want to feel old? Devdutt Padikkal was born in the year 2000. #RCBVsSRH
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) September 21, 2020
Devdutt Paddikal already a better batsman than Rohit Sharma on swinging pitches.
— Viru Sharma (@183_Mirpur) September 21, 2020
What an impressive debut so far by Devdutt Padikkal, playing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowlers really well.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 21, 2020
Devdutt Padikkal gets a fifty on IPL debut.
– Last player to score a 50+ on IPL debut was Sam Billings in 2016.
– Last Indian was Kedar Jadhav in 2010
– Only RCB player before was Sreevats Goswami in 2008. #RCBvsSRH #IPL2020
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 21, 2020
Devdutt Paddikal What a Talent ??
He’s making finch look like newbie.#RCBVsSRH— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 21, 2020