"There's so much to learn from Virat Kohli” - Devdutt Padikkal
The Edappal-born cricketer has made huge waves in the domestic circuit with the willow. The cricketing fraternity took notice of the 19-year-old’s talent and temperament with his performances last year. He was drafted into the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad at the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for a sum INR 20 Lakhs.
Devdutt Padikkal talked about his interactions with RCB captain Virat Kohli.
"I spoke to Virat a couple of times during the IPL. There's so much to learn from him. The kind of passion and determination he had towards the game. The commitment he had. He always kept the team ahead of him. He always wanted the team to win and he would do anything for that. That was so heartening to see and you know, that is something I try to pick up from him."
The Karnataka lad had a dream run in the domestic season, scoring runs every time he came out to bat. Owing to the global coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the IPL is suspended until further notice, but Devdutt has set his dream to play in front of the home crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
“I am looking forward to playing for RCB. Being a Bangalore boy, that's something I have always dreamt of. To play in front of a packed Chinnaswamy Stadium in the IPL."
Devdutt can't wait to share the dressing room with the greats of the game, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
"I am really looking forward to playing in the IPL whenever I get the opportunity and doing well for the side. To be able to share the dressing room with such greats of the game, like Virat and AB, I just can't wait to get that opportunity."
When asked about his short-term and long-term goals, Devdutt said that he had always dreamt of representing India in the longest format of the game, and that is his ultimate goal.
“My short term would definitely be to continue to do well for Karnataka," he said. "I want to try and make a mark for RCB when I get a chance to play in the IPL. My long-term goal is obviously to play for India. Test cricket is something that I have always admired and that will be my ultimate goal.”
So far, the journey of the young Karnataka batsman has been tremendous, the question of the hour is will Devdutt Padikkal be the next big thing for India Cricket?
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