IPL 2020: “Difficult to categorise Devdutt Padikkal as a rookie,” says veteran Karnataka coach GK Anil Kumar
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Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal shone brightly during the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE. The Royal Challengers Bangalore opener emerged as the leading run-scorer for his side this season. With 473 runs in 15 matches, Padikkal finished at the sixth spot in the list of ‘Most Runs in IPL 2020’.
Veteran coach from Karnataka, GK Anil Kumar shaped the career of many young players including the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair. Anil Kumar hailed Padikkal who became only the second player in the IPL history to rack up over 400 runs in his maiden season without getting the national cap. Shreyas Iyer was the first batsman to do so for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2015.
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Kumar also compared the impact of Devdutt Padikkal to that of MI’s Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah during their respective maiden seasons.
“Pandya, Bumrah took some time. They took 1-2 years to really establish themselves, but with Padikkal you can clearly say that the kind of impact he’s had in his first IPL is tough even for an established international cricketer match playing his first IPL to match. It is really difficult to categorize Padikkal, a youngster, a rookie, getting into his first IPL. He got five half-centuries – three of which came in four matches. That speaks volumes of what he can do later,” Anil Kumar told Hindustan Times.
“I think he will definitely be a top contender and reach where Pandya and Bumrah are. Without a doubt, Padikkal will rise to incredible heights with this IPL,” he added.
‘Padikkal’s understanding of a game situation separates him’
The Karnataka coach also hailed the game sense of Padikkal, lauding his great understanding of a game situation. He mentioned that the 20-year old handle the pressure situation well.
“What separates Padikkal is his sharp cricketing acumen, his understanding of a game situation. More than anything else, the will of wanting to perform in a pressure situation. He likes it. Most will have butterflies in their stomach, and they are thrust into tournaments where the competition is grim. But Padikkal is one individual who enjoys the pressure. Very few batsmen have that kind of mindset and conviction, that calmness,” Anil Kumar said about Padikkal.
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