Opener Devdutt Padikkal produced another brilliant knock as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (October 3).
Chasing 155 to win, Padikkal scored 45-ball 63 and added 99 runs for the second wicket with skipper Virat Kohli to script RCB’s victory with five balls to spare. It was his third fifty in four IPL 2020 games.
Speaking after the game, the southpaw said he felt tired during the innings but captain Kohli kept pushing him to finish the game.
"It's a different feeling (batting alongside Virat Kohli), I have watched him so much since I have been small. So, to bat with him is an unreal feeling and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. He just kept pushing me. I was getting tired a little bit, I was cramping up, he just kept pushing me to finish the innings. He kept telling me that I have to play till the end and see the team through. That's how he bats and that's what he was trying to convey to me as well," Padikkal said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Jofra Archer dismissed Padikkal in the 16th over, which led to AB de Villiers’ arrival at the crease. Subsequently, the pair of Kohli (72 not out off 53 balls) and De Villiers (12 not out off 10 balls) forged a 34-run stand to take RCB over the line.
Commenting on his knock, Padikkal said it was 'really hot' condition to bat after fielding for 20 overs but he enjoyed his knock as he was striking the ball well.
"I am just playing on the merit of the ball, I am watching the ball as closely as I can and trying to make the decision. It was really hot, especially after fielding for 20 overs to come out and bat, it was pretty hard. It's important that we keep playing the way we are playing and keep getting the wins under the belt. Not anymore (when asked if he was pinching himself), maybe the first innings, now it's part of the job and I just want to keep doing well for the side and keep winning games for the team," the 20-year-old stated.
RCB will take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in their next game in Dubai on October 5.
