IPL 2020: One player from each team who can win the Emerging Player Award
The most promising talent of the season is named the Emerging Player of the Season at the end of the tournament every year.
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7. Devdutt Padikkal (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Devdutt Padikkal is the latest addition to the list of Indian batting prodigies who can make it big in the future. The 19-year-old ended up as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, tallying up 580 runs in 12 games including a match-winning 122 off 60 balls against Andhra Pradesh. In the journey, he slammed 33 sixes which was also the highest in the tournament.
Royals Challengers Bangalore acquired the Karnataka opener at his base price of INR 20 lakhs ahead of IPL 2019. Going by their team combination, RCB have openers in Parthiv Patel, Aaron Finch, Josh Phillippe, and the skipper ‘King’ Kohli himself.
Since Kohli is expected to bat at No.3 to reinforce the middle-order, RCB clearly lacks Indian opening options. This is where Devdutt Padikkal will play a significant role for them as the Bangalore-based franchise would want foreign players to strengthen their fast-bowling. With the form that the youngster is in, he might play a key role for RCB in 2020.
Padikkal is so attractive and pleasing to the eye that people may look forward to RCB’s games just to see him bat. He has got all the shots in the book and it would be in the best interests for RCB as a franchise to play him in all fourteen games as an opener with Aaron Finch.
They can either pick Phillipe as the wicket-keeper or have Parthiv Patel play down the order. Mike Hesson-Virat Kohli must ensure that this youngster gets ample opportunities in a position where he can cause serious damage to oppositions.
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