RCB vs CSK: We didn’t manage to achieve a perfect finish, says Devdutt Padikkal
Relegated to the bat, the Bangalore Royal Challengers (RCB) went flying against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Friday in Sharjah.
With skipper Virat Kohli (53) and Devdutt Padikkal (70) laying a solid foundation with a stand of 111 runs for the opening wicket.
However, the high-flying RCB stuttered after a flying start and could only manage to score 156 for 6 in 20 overs.
Southpaw Padikkal, who scored his sixth IPL half-century, admitted that RCB lost momentum and which allowed CSK to wrest control.
“We were initially looking at 170-180 but there was no such target as the target could have gone up as well. We were just trying to play the ball on its merit and score runs. Unfortunately, we could not get the ideal finish and hopefully, we will correct this in the next game,” said Padikkal during a virtual post-match press conference.
On the question of lack of intent shown by both the openers, after getting a bright start, the young batsman said: “At that time we were just trying to take the game as deep as possible. We felt that the batting is getting tougher and new batsmen would find it difficult to score runs. So we were trying to take the risk whenever possible and pick the right bowler at the right time whenever possible.”
Devdutt Padikkal on Virat Kohli
RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who was looking off colour in the first match, began with consecutive boundaries off Deepak Chahar, but took a bit of time to find his rhythm. The skipper lofted the same bowler for a massive six on the on-side.
Kohli scored most of his runs on the leg side.
“It is one of his strengths. I am pretty sure that he could have scored on both sides. It is just a narrow fact that it came off the leg side more in this innings,” said Padikkal.
Padikkal on his dismissal
Padikkal was fluent with his well-timed shots on the off-side, struck five fours and three sixes during his stay at the crease.
The young left-hander also used his feet well against left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, sending the ball soaring over long-on. He completed his fifty with a crushing four off Chahar, which also raised the team’s hundred.
However, he failed to Shardul Thakur after trying to play an upper cut and was caught by Ambati Rayudu.
“I will keep playing upper cut. I know I have got out twice in this UAE leg playing the same shot. But it is a very high scoring shot. I felt that today it was on, but I could not execute it that well. Getting out will not stop me from playing that shot,” said the youngster.
RCB will face Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
