Virender Sehwag backs Devdutt Padikkal to break into India’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag reckoned that Devdutt Padikkal still has a chance of breaking into the national squad for the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Earlier this month, India named their squad for the mega event and Padikkal didn’t feature in the team despite making his T20I debut back in July against Sri Lanka.

However, Sehwag believed that the 21-year-old can make his way into the squad if he performs to his potential in the second leg of the 2021 Indian Premier League. Sehwag said that Padikkal, along with KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, are the players to watch out for in the IPL 2021.

“My first choice will be Ishan Kishan followed by Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson. These four I will be intently watching. I have loved Devdutt’s batting and if I have to pick one amongst the four, he is my man,” Sehwag was quoted as saying in cricket.com.

“Who knows, if he does well, he might be drafted in as that Indian top-order for the T20 World Cup,” the Nawab of Najafgarh stated.

I will not be surprised if there are changes in the squad, says Virender Sehwag

Although he didn’t make a great start to his international career, Padikkal has been a revelation for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Back in 2020, he made his debut and caught the limelight with some sparkling knocks at the top of the order.

In the 2021 edition, Padikkal has notched 195 runs from six innings at a strike rate in excess of 152. The left-hander also mustered a century against the Rajasthan Royals.

“100%. We have around seven matches minimum left for the teams. That means you still have a platform to perform and those who are on the fringes could still impress the Indian selectors who would be watching the tournament closely. Since ICC allows a window to change teams, I will not be surprised if there are some changes in the original squad,” Sehwag added.

In the UAE leg, RCB are scheduled to first lock horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, September 20 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.