Devdutt Padikkal announced himself as a new star of the game with an eye-catching half-century on his IPL debut.
The 20-year-old left-hander made 56 in 42 balls to set the platform for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 10-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Stadium.
The side who finished last in the IPL last season still required a woeful collapse from Hyderabad to bring about the victory.
Jonny Bairstow made a powerful 61 from 42 as Hyderabad appeared to be cruising to the win.
Chasing RCB’s total of 163-5, they had been 89-1, and then 121-2 in the 16th over.
But when Bairstow was bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal, it set in motion a slide that Hyderabad could not halt.
Chahal took three wickets, and Navdeep Saini two, as the wickets tumbled, and they ended up 10 short.
It meant Padikkal was able to celebrate a win to go with his maiden 50.
The young batsman was largely unknown beyond Indian cricket before this game, but RCB’s team selection was a clue to just how highly regarded he is.
First of all, he was given Virat Kohli’s place opening the batting.
That put him inside an all-star top four. He opened with Australia captain Aaron Finch.
India and RCB captain Kohli came next, followed by IPL royalty AB de Villiers.
De Villiers hit a rapid half-century – hitting his 200th career sixth of his IPL career in the process – but young Padikkal outscored all of them.
He was not overawed in such illustrious company, which was no surprise given that he has spent the past month buddied up with Kohli at training.
“That was simply amazing,” Padikkal said of Kohli’s influence.
“He has so much experience and knowledge of the game. I was just chewing at his ears, trying to get whatever information I can from him.
“He was great at answering my questions. He said to keep things simple, believe in yourself whatever the situation, and that whoever you are facing, it doesn’t matter.
“So long as you believe in yourself and back yourself everything falls into place.
“It was great to get the half-century. It was my first game and I wanted to make sure I started off really well. I am happy I could do that.”
Hyderabad suffered injuries to go with the insult of defeat.
Mitchell Marsh, their Australian all-rounder, managed to send down just four deliveries before hobbling off with an ankle injury.
He did attempt to help the cause with the bat late on, but appeared to be in agony – much to the concern of the Australians in the opposition line up.
Rashid Khan also had to be treated on the field for a head injury after colliding with Abhishek Sharma while running between the wickets.
The competition moves on to Sharjah, where Rajasthan Royals face Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
