Happy that I could do well in IPL and carry that forward into other tournaments: Devdutt Padikkal

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League witnessed several youngsters stamp their authority but none more than Devdutt Padikkal. What set him apart from the rest was his matured sense of mind and an unquenchable appetite for runs. The southpaw broke many records on his way to glory in Dream11 IPL 2020. After a headline performance in Dream11 IPL 2020, Devdutt continued to wield his willow in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, hammering 737 runs at a staggering average of 147.40.

In an exclusive interview with Bangalore Times, the 20-year-old reflected on the year that went by. He said that he was happy that he made a mark in the IPL and was able to carry forward that into the domestic season as well. He clearly proved to be the best of the lot in the year 2020.

“It has definitely been amazing. It was more than what I had imagined. As I was starting off, I just wanted to make sure that I did really well in the IPL and that I delivered when I got a chance. I was happy that I could do well and carry that forward into the other tournaments as well. It was a really special year, to keep it short.” - Devdutt was quoted as saying to Bangalore Times. 

He believes that the competition for a spot in a team is cut-throat. He said that there is no room for complacency in cricket. Understandably so, the youngster feels it is important to be consistent and push himself forward to do better. 

“I understand that the competition for a place in the team is really high now. It is important to be consistent and that is what I am looking to do. I’ll try to score at every opportunity that I get. You have to keep knocking on every door and it is not going to be easy. Someone else is scoring more than you all the time, so you have to keep pushing yourself to do better. That’s what I’m looking to do.” - he added. 

When asked about his cricketing idol, Devdutt revealed: It is Gautam Gambhir. “I have grown up watching him play and he is such an inspirational character. He has come up with important knocks whenever the team needed it and that’s why he is my role model as far as cricket goes.”

While he enjoys playing the abbreviated formats, the Karnataka batsman stated that his pinnacle goal will always be to play Test cricket for India. 

“I definitely enjoy the short format, but Test cricket is the ultimate goal for any cricketer. And that’s the same for me as well. I’ve grown up idolising cricketers who have done so well in the Test arena and that’s something that I want to do in my career, so Test cricket is the ultimate goal.”

Come April, Devdutt Padikkal will be keen to emulate his recent heroics with the bat for Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

[Bangalore Times inputs]