'A generational talent because he performs once in a generation' - Twitter disappointed as Devdutt Padikkal falls cheaply again

The Rajasthan Royals would be hoping to edge past the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 points table with a big win over the Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Meanwhile, KKR are in dire need of a win in order to revive their campaign having suffered five consecutive defeats.

The coin landed in the favor of Kolkata skipper Shreyas Iyer who elected to bowl first. With that decision made, all the Kolkata bowlers had to do was get rid of in-form Jos Buttler early on who has been sitting comfortably on the top of the Orange Cap list with three centuries to his name. While that did not happen, they did account for his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal who has been playing a perfect second fiddle to Buttler this year..

KKR draw first blood with Devdutt Padikkal’s dismissal

Padikkal’s stay in the middle came to an end in the third over as senior pacer Umesh Yadav bowled a fuller delivery around off stump and the southpaw attempted to work the ball on the leg-side. Unfortunately for him, he failed to time the ball well as it took the leading edge of his bat and went back to the bowler.

The Vidharbha pacer showed great presence of mind while judging the ball that quickly came towards him as he stretched his right hand out and completed an incredible catch. Even though the speedster fumbled, he kept his eyes on the ball till the very end and was eventually rewarded with a well-deserved wicket.

Padikkal walked back to the dugout with just two runs to his name. Meanwhile, Buttler’s stay at the crease did not last for too long either as he was dismissed after scoring 22 runs from 25 deliveries by Tim Southee. Rajasthan would now be eyeing a challenging total as they look to do the double over Kolkata having beaten them by seven runs in the reverse fixture.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: