Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman Devdutt Padikkal has revealed that he takes inspiration from every Indian cricketer, as they all have separate stories, but said former India opener Gautam Gambhir is his cricketing role model and he still loves his batting and watches his batting clips.
The 20-year-old opener is currently recovering from COVID-19 and is likely to join the RCB bio-bubble next week to play in the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
Padikkal told Times of India: “For me, there is not one individual who has inspired me. Every person has a separate story and everyone really has gone through with something to get there in their career. I take inspiration from every cricketer who has played for India because getting there is not easy at all.
It takes a lot to get there. They have done a lot to reach that level and contributed to the country. But my role model is Gambhir. I have grown up watching him bat. I still watch his videos. I still love his batting. Gambhir is my cricketing role model.”
The Karnataka batsman also said Indian legend Rahul Dravid has a solution for everything and he always learned something new whenever he got to meet him or talk as he always ready to give any kind of advice whenever he needs and he listens to him “carefully”.
He further explained, “I have spoken with Rahul (Dravid) sir a few times. Whenever I have the chance, I have met him. I met him at the KCA most of the time. He is such a humble person. He is ready to give any kind of advice whenever I need it. You can always walk up to him and ask him anything. He has the solution for everything.”
Padikkal signed off by saying, “He always told me that ‘keep working hard, keep learning and keep improving as much as possible. Whenever I met him, I learned something new. It is always nice and great talking to him. Whenever I get time, I go and speak with him. I listen to him carefully.”
