It was the night of Devdutt Padikkal at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. The left hander from Karnataka who plays for Royal Challengers, smashed his first hundred in the Indian Premier League. The century, came in the last over of the chase of Bangalore. He took 51 deliveries to reach the milestone.
His first boundary came in the second over. Chetan Sakariya was bowling and Padikkal clipped him through mid wicket for a four. From there on, there was no stopping Padikkal as he went berserk and caned the hapless Rajasthan bowlers to all parts of the stadium.
In the fourth over, Morris was hit for back to back fours before, the first six came in the next over. It was just a checked shot over long off that went for a six against Mustafizur. Another six came in the next over against the other left hander seamer, Sakariya. It was another though the line hit that went over long on for six.
Then, in the eight over of the innings, Padikkal hit his 3rd six. Riyan Parag was bowling and on the last ball, Devdutt came down the track and hammered, the spinner for a wonderful six, over the sight screen.
Padikkal gets a 100 and a hug
In the meantime, he completed his 50 in just 27 balls. Rahul Tewathia too was thrashed in the following over. He was hit for two successive sixes by Padikkal. They went over his head and over mid wicket, respectively.
Mustafizur was pulled over square leg, disdainfully for the sixth six of Padikkal.
Eventually, he reached his hundred by hitting a four. Mustafiz Rehman was pumped, over extra cover for an astonishing 100.
This was also the moment when Virat Kohli hugged him as he raised his bat. It was a show of the trust that, Kohli had in Padikkal.
The captain embraced him and shook hands with him. Padikkal too was happy as he reached his first 100 of the IPL career. He was enjoying all the attention he got, despite Virat Kohli being his batting partner. It was a joy to watch.
Watch the video of the 100 by Padikkal and hugging from Kohli:
