Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Devdutt Padikkal commended the team’s new-ball bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, for their outstanding performance against Delhi Capitals. Hazlewood’s 4-12 and Bhuvneshwar’s 3-5 helped RCB restrict DC to 75 runs, the lowest total of the season. Their early wickets in the power-play set the tone for RCB’s dominant victory.
Padikkal expressed admiration for the bowlers’ effectiveness in the first six overs, emphasizing the pressure they imposed on the opposition. He highlighted the impact of having strong new-ball bowlers operating from both ends, creating immense pressure on the batting side.
Reflecting on his slip fielding experience during the bowlers’ spells, Padikkal revealed his anticipation of a catch on every ball, a rare occurrence in T20 cricket. He credited the bowlers’ consistent line and length for creating opportunities with every delivery.
The left-handed batter discussed his own improvement in slip catching over time, attributing his progress to experience and practice. Padikkal emphasized the importance of early ball detection and maintaining soft hands for successful slip fielding.
Padikkal underscored the significance of swiftly chasing down the target, contributing an unbeaten 34 runs alongside Virat Kohli, who surpassed the 9000-run mark in IPL history. Kohli’s milestone achievement and Bethell’s strong start eased RCB’s successful chase against Delhi Capitals.
