IPL 2021: Devdutt Padikkal still in Bengaluru, likely to miss tournament-opener for RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore might be compelled to form a new opening combination at least for their first game of IPL 2021 after their star man Devdutt Padikkal tested positive for COVID-19. The Bangalore-based outfit would be in action on the very first day of the competition, that is on April 9 when they lock horns against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai.

According to a report, the left-handed batsman is likely to miss the opener and will be cutting it fine for RCB’s second game of the season which is on April 14. Padikkal was tested positive on March 22 and has been in quarantine since then. The franchise confirmed the news on Sunday (April 4).

The franchise also announced that Padikkal is still at his residence in Bengaluru, reported by The Times of India (TOI). The Karnataka star did not leave for Chennai after testing positive and has been in quarantine at his home since then. He will undergo tests once again on Tuesday and Wednesday and will be allowed to join the bi0-bubble in Chennai only after he returns a negative report.

“He has been in mandatory quarantine at his residence in Bengaluru since then. He will be fit to join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative. RCB Medical team is in touch with Devdutt ensuring his safety and well-being. Devdutt is feeling well and we can’t wait to have him join the squad for the IPL season ahead,” the franchise said in a statement.

Missing Padikkal will be a huge blow for RCB as they look to make a strong start to their season. He was RCB’s highest run-scorer in IPL 2020 with 473 runs in 15 matches. He was only the second uncapped player in IPL’s history to score more than 400 runs in his debut season.

Devdutt Padikkal’s replacement

RCB were set to open their batting with Devdutt Padikkal and skipper Virat Kohli. With Padikkal now set to miss at least the first game, the RCB team management will have to find a new partner for their skipper. RCB’s new recruit Finn Allen could be the likely replacement for Padikkal after his recent impressive display against Bangladesh.

Allen made his debut in the recently-concluded three-match series and was out for a duck in his first-ever outing for New Zealand. In the second game, he could score only 17 before blasting 71 off just 29 balls in the third game while opening the innings.

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