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Padikkal's Struggles Due to...,' Manjrekar Opines After Batter's Sluggish Innings vs RR

image-lg4xe8kuPadikkal was demoted to number 5 against RR [iplt20.com]

Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, has suggested that the struggles of Rajasthan Royals' batsman,Devdutt Padikkal, in Wednesday’s game against Punjab Kings, were not due to a lack of intent. Rather, he believes that the player's lack of confidence and his state of mind were the primary reasons behind his underwhelming performance.

Padikkal, who batted at No. 5, could only manage 21 runs off 26 balls, as RR fell short by five runs while chasing a target of 198 runs. 


Shedding some light upon the same, Manjrekar asserted that the southpaw was attempting to play the big shots and up the tempo, but was unsuccessful, as his confidence was at an all-time low. He argued that if a player is unable to perform on a pitch that is conducive to scoring, then it must be due to mental factors.

"His [Devdutt Padikkal] confidence is at rock bottom. That's the only reason why he was looking so scratchy. It wasn't about intent. Poor fellow was trying to play the big shots and up the tempo, but it wasn't happening. If that's not happening on a pitch like this, then obviously there's something to do with the mind, said Manjrekar in a conversation with ESPNCricinfo.

The renowned commentator went on to suggest that Padikkal's best position in the batting order would be at No. 3. Given that he is an opening batsman and has had success while batting in the top order previously, he believes that this would be the best position for him to regain his form. 

The 57-year-old further emphasized that the Rajasthan Royals think-tank must continue to back the Karnataka based cricketer if they wish to see him perform. He claimed that if the team persists in playing him in the middle order, he will continue to struggle.

According to the Indian veteram, the ideal batting order for RR would be to have Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal open the innings, with Padikkal at three, Samson at four, and Shimron Hetmyer at five. He suggested that this order should remain constant, no matter the situation.

"You stick with Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal, have Devdutt Padikkal at three, Sanju Samson at four and have Shimron Hetmyer at five. That order shouldn't change come what may," concluded Manjrekar.