Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket said that the RR youngster Devdutt Padikkal had “wonderful” skills on the leg-side.  Rajasthan Royals will begin their IPL 2022 campaign on March 29 when the side takes on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

The tournament begins on March 26 with a blockbuster opening game between MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings and the Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders. The 2022 edition of the tournament will showcase new-look franchises, thanks to the mega auction which preceded the season in February.

Kumar Sangakkara Praised Devdutt Padikkal’s Leg Side Play, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Enthusiasm, Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag’s Ability To Hit Sixers

Rajasthan Royals had a stellar auction, with side procuring the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Rassie van der Dussen, and Daryl Mitchell in the batting order, among others. In a conversation, Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara spoke in detail about the team, and also talked about the side’s young batters as it prepares for the upcoming season.

In addition to Devdutt Padikkal and Shimron Hetmyer, the Rajasthan Royals side also brought back youngster Riyan Parag to their roster. Ahead of the auction, the Rajasthan Royals had retained young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as well. When Kumar Sangakkara was asked if he could take one aspect of the above-mentioned players, the Sri Lankan legend had some interesting answers.

“Any aspect from the game from players like Devdutt Padikkal, Hetmyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal that you would’ve liked to have if you were playing, Sanga?” the interviewer asked. In turn, the SL legend replied, “Devdutt Padikkal’s leg-side play, his flicks and his ability against pace are wonderful.”

“Jaiswal.. his power and enthusiasm, in terms of the off-side play. Hetmyer’s ability to hit sixers and Parag’s ability to hit sixers for fun,” Sangakkara said.

In the likes of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, Rajasthan Royals possess a cracking batting order.

Kumar Sangakkara Reckons Devdutt Padikkal Is An Accomplished Player And Is A Valuable Asset For Team’s Prospects

Further talking about Devdutt Padikkal, the former Sri Lanka batter who has represented the side in 134 Tests, 404 ODIs and 56 T20Is, said that the youngster is an “accomplished” player.

“I’ve watched Devdutt Padikkal over the last two seasons. He’s such an exciting player, so accomplished. I just want him to know how valuable he is for the team,” said Sangakkara.

Rajasthan Royals brought ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left-arm pacer Trent Boult, left-handed batters Devdutt Padikkal and Shimron Hetmyer in the auction on 1st day besides spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, pacer Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Riyan Parag.

Among the youngsters who did well in IPL 2020 and 2021 is Devdutt Padikkal who made his debut in 2020 for RCB-Royal Challengers Bangalore and was the leading run-scorer for RCB in 2020. He scored a century in 2021 IPL. He scored 473 runs in IPL 2020 and 411 runs in IPL 2021.

Likely starting XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (wk), Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Karun Nair/Devdutt Padikkal, Jimmy Neesham, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.