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IPL 2021: COVID setback behind him, Devdutt Padikkal looks to continue stupendous run

Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal is raring to go and is hoping to make a mark in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The southpaw suffered a huge setback when he contracted COVID ahead of the tournament but he is now completely fit and ready to take part in the tournament. With the setback behind him, Padikkal is hopeful of replicating his stupendous form from the domestic circuit.

"COVID was a setback. I wish that it didn't happen but that's something I couldn't control...I had to accept the way it was and just make sure that I kept myself fit so that when I come back I can be ready for the game," he said in a video posted by the RCB Twitter handle.

"Right now I am completely fine, most importantly I am able to move around well, I am able to react to balls and that's the most important part...in IPL you always have to be ready, you always have to be 100 per cent in every situation. Unless you are 100 per cent, you can't really push yourself,” Padikkal added. 

Padikkal was in exceptional form in the previous edition of the competition. Playing his rookie season, Padikkal finished as RCB’s leading run-getter with 473 runs in 15 matches which included five classy half-centuries. He continued his rich vein of form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he scored 218 runs in 6 matches. It wasn’t the end as Padikkal finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy as the second-highest run-scorer just behind Prithvi Shaw. 

"...last IPL was amazing for me. It was such a great experience and exposure for me, the opportunities I got and the fact that I was able to contribute to the side is all that matters in the end.

"Mushtaq Ali was decent, not up to what I was expecting and in Vijay Hazare I was just looking to get back into my rhythm and focus on what I am doing and really improve my game every time I went out to bat.

"It was really great to have the runs behind me, so coming into IPL, I know that I am confident," Padikkal said.

After missing the opening encounter against the defending champions Mumbai Indias, Padikkal in all likelihood will take part in his side’s second game against the Kolkata Knight Riders slated to be played on 18th April. The southpaw is gearing up to open with Virat Kohli once he is presented with the opportunity. In the absence of Padikkal, it was Washington Sundar who opened the batting with Kohli against MI. 

"Definitely, it's something new...I am definitely looking forward to that," he said.

Besides a certain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, RCB also boasts of some power-packed performers in their ranks. Glenn Maxwell who was bought at a hefty sum in the auctions looked in sublime touch during the opening match and his form will be crucial to RCB’s chances as the tournament progresses. Padikkal is hoping to learn and pick their brains. 

"...batting with them (seniors) just takes pressure of you. They are so good at what they do and they just make your job easier, know exactly what to do in every situation. So, it's important that I just make sure I am learning as much as possible," he said.

The second wave of COVID-19 has forced the organisers to conduct the tournament behind closed doors. Padikkal is hopeful of the fact that the situation will improve and the fans can come back to the stadiums. 

"It's definitely better with the fans because the energy they bring to the ground is something unimaginable. It would have been better with the fans in the ground and hopefully sooner than later it will happen."

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