Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal arrived on the crease with little expectations. Making his debut in the Indian T20 League against Hyderabad, he looked nervous as he faced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the opening over, but as Sandeep Sharma came, he hit the pacer for two boundaries in three balls to set a momentum.
There was absolutely no stopping him since. The 20-year-old went on to dismantle every bowler David Warner brought into attack and it took him just 36 balls to complete his maiden Indian T20 League half-century. There was of course luck involved as Rashid Khan dropped him at the square leg, but the damage was anyway done.
Scoring a half-century on the Indian T20 League debut remains a huge thing for a young cricketer and the fans are expecting more of the same for the rest of the tournament. Here's what they are saying about his incredible knock of 56 off just 42 deliveries:
Padikkal is really fearless, making his IPL debut and smashing all over the ground.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 21, 2020
Last IPL everyone thought Shivam Dube played like a young Yuvraj Singh. Perhaps, they should have waited a year longer for another RCB player.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) September 21, 2020
Devdutt Padikkal is such a treat to watch!
Those who followed Indian domestic cricket during last season won't be surprised to see Devdutt Padikkal batting...
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) September 21, 2020
A Gifted Cricketer.
Devdutt Padikkal:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 21, 2020
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019/20 - Highest run-getter
11 inns
609 runs
67.66 ave
81.09 SR
2 100s
5 50s
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019/20 - Highest run-getter
12 inns
580 runs
64.44 ave
175.75 SR
1 100
5 50s
How good will he be in #IPL2020 ?#RCBvSRH
Hey @rcbtweets, Padikkal looks like a 💎 already! 👏🏻
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 21, 2020
*Touchwood*#HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily
A 50 on IPL debut, how good is this 20 year old Padikkal! Lovely. His parents must be so proud 🙏
— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) 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
Want to feel old? Devdutt Padikkal was born in the year 2000. #RCBVsSRH
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) September 21, 2020
Padikkal 👏 👏 👏 #RCBVsSRH
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 21, 2020
