Devdutt Padikkal only player in IPL history to score 3 fifties in first 4 games
Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal continued his good form as he brought up his third fifty of IPL 2020 in the game against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Published : Oct 03, 2020 19:02 IST
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) youngster Devdutt Padikkal continued his good form as he became the only player in IPL history to score three fifties in his first four games during his side's match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Padikkal reached his half-century with a cheeky nudge off Jaydev Unadkat for four. He beat short third man, and reached the milestone in 34 deliveries, which included five fours and a six.
In their opening game of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Australia's Aaron Finch and Padikkal had put on a formidable opening stand in quick time. The normally explosive Finch had played second fiddle to IPL debutant Padikkal, who took on the attacking role with aplomb.
“I can play whatever role the team needs. Dev got off to a great start, so it was my job to give him strike. On some days, that role might be reversed," Finch had said at the time.
In the outing against Mumbai Indians, both Padikkal and Finch bagged half-centuries, and put on a first-wicket partnership of 81 in nine overs. Padikkal was eventually dismissed by Trent Boult for 54 runs off 40 balls, after managing to score five fours and two maximums.
The 20-year-old Karnataka batsman has a T20 average of 57.58 and strike rate of 166.90. He was the top-scorer in both the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.