The young guns fire at the top, Devdutt impresses again: 3 talking points from MI vs RCB

The young guns fire at the top

RCB decided to hit the refresh button at the top of the order and boy, did it not work well. Josh Philippe getting his first opportunity to open the batting displayed what made him one of the best young talents to emerge from the BBL. Along with Devdutt Padikkal, the young Aussie from Western Australia took the Mumbai pace bowling trio comprising of three international fast bowlers to the cleaners. 

The two young guns fired fearlessly putting on 54 runs in the powerplay. Some of the shotmaking absolutely gorgeous to watch even if it were for a neutral eye. The stand lasted for 71 runs and provided the perfect start for RCB. The openers firing augurs well going into the last few league games of the season.

The rise and rise of Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal has been a revelation for RCB this season, and the Karnataka lad showed once again why he has been one of the finds of the Dream11 IPL 2020. Playing some outrageous shots en route to bringing up his 4th half-century of the season, Devdutt Padikkal displayed lazy elegance which has brought about comparisons with a certain retired Indian great. 

However, if there was one concern regarding his batting, it was centered around his inability to carry on from a 40-50 and score big. Batting against the Mumbai Indians, Devdutt vanquished all the doubts in style. While the experienced, world-class duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers were exercising caution, young Devdutt played with panache, timing the ball well, hitting it hard, and finding the gaps in the field with the eye of an eagle. On the field, a diving effort at mid-off to pluck a catch centimeters from the ground diving forward took his tally to 8 this season, added to his already glittering evening. His 74 off 45 was an innings one would expect from a seasoned cricketer, and Devdutt just keeps getting better and better with every outing.

Siraj and Washi continue to impress

RCB have been really fortunate in the Dream11 IPL 2020 to have unearthed two stars who have consistently done well in the bowling department. Washington Sundar has come into his own in the red and gold of RCB, owning the powerplays. Mohammed Siraj has found his rhythm and is looking every bit of the confident bowler RCB invested in. While Washington Sundar was once again on song in the powerplay, giving away only 11 runs from his 2 overs while bowling with field restrictions, Mohammed Siraj chipped in with the crucial breakthrough of Quinton de Kock. 

Mohammed Siraj returned to the venue where he absolutely tormented the KKR batting lineup and seemed to be enjoying the conditions that Abu Dhabi presents him. He was brought back in the 11th over, and Siraj delivered again, picking up the wicket of Saurabh Tiwary to keep RCB in the game. Washington Sundar completed his 4 overs having conceded only 20 runs, his 7th spell in 11 innings of going at less than 6-an-over in the Dream11 IPL 2020.