Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opener Devdutt Padikkal is likely to miss the first couple of games in the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being tested positive for COVID-19.
The young batting sensation tested COVID-19 positive on March 22 and he is currently in quarantine at his home in Bengaluru with the rest of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad in Chennai.
RCB said in a statement about Padikkal: “Royal Challengers Bangalore, left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal had tested positive on 22nd March 2021. He has been in mandatory quarantine at his residence in Bengaluru since then.
He will be fit to join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative. RCB medical team is in touch with Devdutt ensuring his safety and well-being. Devdutt is feeling well and we can't wait to have him join the squad for the IPL season ahead.”
It is a big blow for the RCB as Padikkal was expected to open the innings for the franchise with the skipper Virat Kohli in the upcoming IPL 2021, where the Bangalore-based outfit’s campaign begins with the season-opener against the defending champions Mumbai Indians on April 9 in Chennai.
Padikkal will undergo COVID-19 tests on April 6 and 7, and if he returns negative, then the left-hander can join the bio-bubble directly in Chennai, where he will have to undergo another round of testing and possibly will be able to play RCB’s next IPL 14 contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 14.
However, the latest blow has probably forced the RCB to rework their strategies for the first couple of matches of the IPL 2021, as they have already limited options for the opening position having had already released Aaron Finch and Josh Philippe withdrew from the IPL 14 earlier this month.
In Padikkal’s absence, New Zealand’s Finn Allen is likely to fit into the role, especially after his latest exploits in the home T20I series against Bangladesh – scoring a 29-ball 71 in the last match.
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The RCB has another option in Mohammed Azharuddeen who has had an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 season this year, scoring 214 runs in five matches for Kerala including 54-ball 137* against Mumbai.
Noteworthy, the 24-year-old was the leading run-scorer for the RCB in IPL 2020 – his debut season, scoring 473 runs at an average of 31.53 and a strike rate of 124.80. Padikkal also had a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year, scoring 218 runs in 6 innings at 43.60 and a strike rate of 134.56.
(With Times of India Inputs)
