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RCB Ace Suffers Heartbreak; Agonisingly Misses Century By 1 Run In Maharaja Trophy

Debashis Sarangi

Devdutt Padikkal is in sublime form [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Devdutt Padikkal is in sublime form [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Promising Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal agonisingly fell short of a well-deserved century as he finished his innings on 99 not out in the ongoing Maharaja Trophy affair between Mangaluru Dragons and Hubli Tigers. Opening the batting for Hubli, Padikkal scored 99 runs off 64 balls before the completion of twenty overs in the innings. 

Devdutt Padikkal Falls Short Of His Ton By 1 Run

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Hubli Tigers had a magnificent start to their innings, with Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Taha adding 81 runs off just ten overs for the first wicket. 

While Taha got dismissed for a quick-fire 28-ball 37, Padikkal continued his onslaught on the Mangaluru Dragons bowling unit, stitching a valuable 105-run partnership with the swashbuckling Abhinav Manohar for the second wicket. 

Manohar smashed 50 runs off just 23 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and three huge sixes, while Padikkal eventually entered the 90s, cruising towards a well-deserved ton by the 19th over. However, the final over by Kranthi Kumar kept Padikkal on his toes, with the bowler's disciplined efforts preventing the southpaw from bringing up his century. 

Although Padikkal got three deliveries to complete his ton, Kumar held his nerves, conceding only two singles off these balls. He took a single off the penultimate delivery before Manvanth Kumar finished the Tigers' innings with a six. 

Thus, Padikkal was left stranded on 99* at the other end, with Hubli Tigers finishing their innings on 210 for two in 20 overs. The RCB star has showcased remarkable form in the tournament, amassing 439 runs across eleven innings at an average of 43.90 and a superb strike rate of 155.12. His prolific form has been a major reason behind Hubli Tigers' dominance, as they claim the second position with seven wins in ten matches.