Young Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Devdutt Padikkal was awarded the Emerging Player of the Season award after he top-scored for his franchise in IPL 2020. He scored 473 runs from 15 games, seven more from Virat Kohli’s 466 for the season.

Talking to ESPNcricinfo recently, he spoke about facing the toughest bowler in the season. The left-hander also scored five fifties to boot, as he had the most successful debut in IPL history finishing as the highest run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Devdutt Padikkal Picks Toughest Bowler He Faced In IPL 2020

Devdutt Padikkal said that he was not troubled by the pace of Kagiso Rabada or Jasprit Bumrah, but by the spin of Rashid Khan. He also added that Sunrisers Hyderabad spinner was the toughest bowler he faced in the season.

“Pace, not really, because there are quite a few bowlers who are pretty quick in the domestic circuit as well. Probably the one bowler I felt was challenging was [legspinner] Rashid Khan, because he has really good pace and turns the ball at the same time. He’s not easy to pick. I think while facing him I felt like, “Okay, this is something I’m not used to” said Padikkal.

Adding further, he also spoke about playing Test cricket for India is his ultimate goal. In another disappointing season for RCB, Devdutt Padikkal was their big positive. The left-hander said that playing Test cricket for India is his ultimate goal.

Despite his heroics with the bat in IPL 2020, Padikkal was not selected in any of the Indian squads for the Australia tour.

“Test cricket is what defines a cricketer, it’s the ultimate challenge for any cricketer. To be able to play test cricket for India is something I will try to do in the future” said Devdutt Padikkal when asked about his future with the Indian cricket team.

I’ll continue to work on my game, continue to improve and, whenever I get the opportunity, I’ll take it with both hands,” said Padikkal.