IPL 2021: Won’t be surprised if Devdutt Padikkal plays for India sooner than later – Sunil Gavaskar

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has backed Royal Challengers Bangalore opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal to make his national debut sooner than later for the Indian team. Padikkal scored a blistering unbeaten knock of 101 runs off just 52 balls against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.

The southpaw was able to hit the ground running against RR and took the aggressor role in the partnership. Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal had finished as the team’s highest run-getter in the previous season as he had scored 473 runs in 15 matches at an average of 31.53.

Devdutt Padikkal was at his best as he scored 737 runs at an unbelievable average of 147.50 and an impressive average of 95.96 in the Vijay Hazare trophy. Thus, the left-hander has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit and he has definitely caught the eyes of the national selector.

“Won’t be surprised if Padikkal plays for India in any of the formats because he has got the class and the ability to do that. He is a heavy scorer in first-class cricket and Ranji Trophy as well gets big hundreds. In 50-overs cricket, he gets lots of runs and hundreds. Here, in the T20 domestic tournaments, he got lots of runs. So, I won’t be surprised if he is there sooner rather than later,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Gavaskar added that Karnataka has produced some great Indian batters and Devdutt Padikkal is the latest entrant to the elite club. Meanwhile, the Little Master believes Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul needs to believe in his abilities a bit more than he does.

“Karnataka has always produced a terrific line of batsmen. Gundappa Vishwanath, Rahul Dravid… then KL Rahul. And if KL Rahul, you know, some of the stars need to believe in themselves a little bit more. Sometimes you get the feeling that he doesn’t believe in himself. He is such a talented player And there is Mayank Agarwal, there is Karun Nair who got a triple hundred, he also needs to get his act together. It’s a terrific batting line-up Karnataka have,” Gavaskar added. “And Devdutt Padikkal is another one in that long line of batsmen who have delighted the Indian cricket lovers.”

Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal will aim to continue the good show for RCB and he is definitely a player to look out for. Padikkal is a pure timer of the ball and he also looks a technically sound batsman. Ergo, the left-hander has shown the skills to go a long way in his career. Padikkal also scored the fastest century in the IPL by an uncapped Indian player against RR on Thursday.

On the other hand, RCB have won all their four matches and they will look to continue the good show. The Virat Kohli-led team is at the top of the points table with eight points under their bag. RCB will next face Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 25th April.