IPL 2021: Devdutt Padikkal available for the encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is up and running and the league is heading towards the conclusion of its first week. Thus far, all the teams have played at least one game each. The sixth game of the league phase pits up Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against the David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

While the former is entering into this clash with winning momentum behind their backs as they defeated Mumbai Indians in a close encounter by 2 wickets in the opener, the latter lost their opening game to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 10 runs.

In the tournament opener, RCB missed the services of their opener Devdutt Padikkal, who joined the team’s bubble after recovering from COVID-19, although was given rest instead of entering the field straightaway. In his absence, RCB went ahead with a new opening pair of Washington Sundar and skipper Kohli, however, Padikkal is set to be back for the encounter against SRH on 6th April 2021.

He will be considered and most likely to play: Mike Hesson

Ahead of RCB’s second game of the season, their team director, Mike Hesson, stated that Devdutt Padikkal “will be considered” and is “most likely to play”, as confirmed by the franchise’s official website as well.

Further, the Karnataka batsman has also said that he is feeling “fine and is excited to be back”. “Right now I am completely fine, most importantly I am able to move around well, I am able to react to balls and that’s the most important part…in IPL you always have to be ready, you always have to be 100 percent in every situation. Unless you are 100 percent, you can’t really push yourself,” said Padikkal in a video posted on RCB’s Twitter handle.

Devdutt had a breakthrough season in 2020, where he grabbed eyeballs through his consistent performances at the top of the order as he managed to secure a spot in a star-studded batting lineup. It remains to be seen who makes a place for him in the eleven.

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