Devdutt Padikkal is one of the top finds of the thirteenth edition of the Dream11 Indian Premier League. The tall left-handed opening batsman has been quite impressive and is getting better as the tournament progresses.
On Wednesday, the 20-year-old Padikkal notched up his highest IPL score of 74 to steer Royal Challengers Bangalore to 164 for 6 against table-toppers Mumbai Indians in the 48th match of the season at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Defending champions MI needed to chase 165 for win against RCB. A win for either side should be enough to take them to the play-offs of the top four teams of the table.
MI stand-in skipper Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided to field first. Padikkal (74) and newcomer Josh Philippe (33) guided RCB to a competitive total. The duo of Padikkal and Philippe added 71 runs for the opening wicket.
The Virat Kohli-led side was given a good start by their new opening pair. Padikkal, who represents Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, slammed a brilliant 74 and brought up his highest score in the IPL so far.
Philippe, who replaced Aaron Finch in the playing eleven, also batted quite well and grabbed his chance with both the hands.
After a flying start, RCB could not maintain the momentum as MI spinners halted their flow of runs. MI speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with superb figures of 3 for 14, precluded a collapse with a twin blow in an over, as RCB went from 131 for 2 to 138 for 6 in the middle overs. Skipper Kohli was dismissed for just nine runs.
Some late assault by Gurkeerat Singh (14 not out) and Washington Sundar (10 not out) helped them post a 160 plus total on the board. Pollard, Trent Boult and Rahul Chahar took a wicket each.
Brief scores
Royal Challengers Bangalore 164 for 6 in 20 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 74, Josh Philippe 33, AB de Villiers 15, Gurkeerat Singh 14 not out, Washington Sundar 10 not out, Virat Kohli 9; Jasprit Bumrah 3-14, Kieron Pollard 1-5, Trent Boult 1-40, Rahul Chahar 1-43) vs Mumbai Indians.
Courtesy: orangecitysports.com
