IPL 2021: ‘I was much more confident coming into this season,’ says Devdutt Padikkal

IPL 2021: ‘I was much more confident coming into this season,’ says Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opener Devdutt Padikkal continued with his sublime form in IPL 2021 as well just like the previous season. The 20-year old emerged as the leading run-getter (474) for his side in his debut edition at the UAE. 

Padikkal has already smashed 195 runs at an impressive average of 39 in the 14th edition of the tournament. The southpaw has also smashed an unbeaten century for the Bangalore-based franchise during its game against Rajasthan Royals. The Edappal-born said that he has learnt a lot from the last season and came with much more confidence in himself and his shots.

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“Last year, there were so many learnings for me. Each match gave something new and something that I could pick up on from the people around me. Last year was a great experience. Coming into this season, I was much more confident and really sure about myself and my shots. That really helps when you are in a tournament like this. You need to know your strengths and the shots you can play. That is something I have really picked up on this season,” said Padikkal.

‘Having Virat, AB and Maxwell around make me want to play even better’: Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli

Devdutt Padikkal also talked about the star-studded batting line-up of the Challengers. He mentioned that having the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell around makes him want to play even better.

“Definitely, that’s something I have been looking to do (creating his own identity). In the domestic season as well, we have some really great players in Karnataka, so that’s something I have always looked to do – take the responsibility and be the main man in whichever team I play for. Having such cricketers (Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell) around me makes me want to play even better,” he added.

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