IPL 2019: 5 new players who could change the tides for RCB

2 - Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal is an 18-year-old who has played for teams such as Bellary Tuskers

Another youngster lapped up by RCB is the 18-year-old top-order batsman from Edapal (Kerala) - Devdutt Padikkal. He is also very new to the game, and played his debut match for Karnataka as recently as 2018.

RCB, in its match against CSK, played four left-handers in its top six in the form of Parthiv Patel, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer and Shivam Dube, which enabled spinners, especially Harbhajan Singh, to keep a grip on the run flow.

If Heinrich Klaasen is selected in the squad or if AB de Villiers goes back to his keeping duties, Padikkal could replace Parthiv Patel, thereby enabling RCB with a left-hand right-hand opening combination with Kohli.

His knack for innovation and his youthful passion would go well with the aggressive style of the RCB captain, and the duo could form a stable opening stand which would empower them to make full use of the fielding restrictions during the first power play.

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