IPL 2020: Devdutt Padikkal has taken a huge weight off the three big guns of RCB – Brad Hogg

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has stated that Devdutt Padikkal has taken a huge weight off the three big guns of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB have always relied heavily on the shoulders of their skipper Virat Kohli and talisman batsman AB de Villiers. RCB were able to add Aaron Finch to their squad in IPL 2020 auctions and the Australia’s white ball captain has done a decent job.

Devdutt Padikkal has impressed one and all with his batting prowess. The flamboyant batsman has been instrumental in providing good starts to the team along with Aaron Finch. Thus, he has taken the pressure of the three big players. In fact, Padikkal has outscored Finch in some of the matches.

The left-hander has scored 243 runs in seven matches of the ongoing season at an impressive average of 34.71 and a strike rate of 126.56. Ergo, Padikkal will look to continue the same form going in the second half of the league stage.

Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal was the highest run-getter in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as he racked up 580 runs in 12 matches at 64.44. The left-hander was roped for INR 20 lakhs by RCB.

“The rise of Padikkal has added extra spice in the top four of RCB taking a huge weight off the shoulders of the three big guns Finch, Kohli, & De Villiers. Padikkal the pick of the tournament at the halfway mark,” Hogg tweeted.

Padikkal and Finch provided another good start to RCB against KKR at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday as they added 67 runs for the opening alliance. In fact, whenever these two openers have added more than 50 runs for the opening partnership, RCB have not lost a single match.

RCB have got off to a great start as they have won five matches out of the seven they have played to be at the third position in the points table. RCB will next face KXIP at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 15th October.