Devdutt Padikkal happy to score a hundred in IPL

1. Devdutt Padikkal happy to score a hundred in IPL After scoring his maiden IPLhundred, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s young batsman Devdutt Padikkal said that he was keen to contribute for his team's win after he missed the first game of the ongoing league due to COVID-19. Padikkal had tested positive by the virus before the start of the IPL season but he returned in the second game against SunRisers Hyderabad. And, on Thursday evening, he scored an unbeaten 101 to help RCB register a registering 10-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium. "It's been special. I could only wait my turn. When I was down with COVID, all I was thinking of ways to come here and play the first match here. I couldn't do that but was keen to contribute to the team's win," Padikkal said at the post-match presentation. "The ball was coming on really well and we got a good start. When you get into a partnership like that, it helps as runs come from both ends."

2. While chasing 178, Devdutt Padikkal and the captain Virat Kohli (72*) showed an amazing performance with the bat as both of them took RCB home in 16.3 overs. Padikkal scored his 101 runs in only 52 balls with 6 sixes and 11 fours whereas Kohli played cautiously and smashed 3 sixes and 7 fours in his 47-ball knock as well. With this, he also became the first batsman to complete 6,000 runs in the IPL as well. While he was asked if he was nervous while he was near the century, Padikkal responded in a negative way. "Not really, that's what I was telling Virat to go for it. For me it's not about getting to a hundred, I wouldn't mind missing out on hundreds as long as I contribute to the team's wins," the left-hander said. "Throughout the innings, there were times when he (Kohli) was going better and then I was going better. Rotation of strike is important. We just clicked well." You can catch Match Prediction, IPL prediction, Live Cricket Score on Cricadium