Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Devdutt Padikkal is “completely fine” now, he revealed after recovering from COVID-19 in the lead up to the 2021 Indian Premier League. He said that he is at a “100 per cent” and he wouldn’t push himself unless he was.
The RCB opener further said that he wished it hadn’t happened, but it was out his control. He had undergone home quarantine and was allowed to join the team bubble in Chennai after returning three negative test results.
“COVID was a setback, I wished that it did not happen but that is something I could not control so once it was there, I had to accept the way it was. It was just about making sure that I stay fit and be ready for the game. I am completely fine now, most importantly I am able to move around. Unless you are a 100 per cent, you cannot push yourself so I just wanted to make sure that I am 100 per cent,” Padikkal said in a video shared by the RCB’s Twitter handle.
Padikkal was a revelation in the previous IPL which was staged in the UAE due to the pandemic. He scored 473 runs in 15 matches, with a top score of 74. He also had a great outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 737 runs, which included four consecutive centuries, for Karnataka.
“It has been a roller coaster to an extent. Last IPL was amazing for me and it was such a great experience. The opportunities I got and the fact that I was able to contribute for the side was all that mattered. After that, Syed Mushtaq Ali was decent and then Vijay Hazare, I was just looking to get into my rhythm, it was really great to have the runs behind me coming into the IPL. I know I am confident as I have runs behind me in the domestic season,” the 20-year-old said.
“My favourite innings would be against Mumbai which we had in Abu Dhabi last season. I felt that it was the best that I batted throughout the IPL, but in terms of being the most memorable, it could be the first one because the debut is a special feeling and to be able to get fifty in the first match, always feels good,” he added.
RCB won the 2021 IPL opener against Mumbai Indians in Chennai on Friday by two wickets. The Virat Kohli-led team will face Sunrisers Hyderabad next on Wednesday.
