Yusuf Pathan On Devdutt Padikkal: The eighth match of IPL 2023 was played between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals on 5 April. In this match held in Guwahati, Punjab defeated Rajasthan by 5 runs in a close match. Batting first, Shikhar Dhawan’s team scored 197 runs for 4 wickets. Chasing the target of 198 runs for the win, Sanju Samson’s team could score 192 runs for 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan has given his reaction on this close bar of Rajasthan. He says that if Devdutt Padikkal had opened, the result of the match would have been different. This is the second consecutive win of Punjab Kings in IPL 2023.
the result of the match would have been different
Talking to ESPNcricinfo, Yusuf Pathan said, he was surprised to see Devdutt Padikkal not starting the innings. If he had started the innings, the result could have been different. Padikkal, who came to bat at number four, struggled. He was able to score 21 runs off 26 balls. According to Yusuf Pathan, ‘I was surprised to see Ravichandran Ashwin opening. I expected Padikkal to open. But the team management got Ashwin to open. Had Padikkal started the innings, the result could have been different. Because he has been playing new ball for many years. His numbers as an opener are far better than at number 4.
Praised Prabhsimran
During this, former cricketer Yusuf Pathan praised Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh. He said, ‘He is worthy of praise. His partnership with Shikhar Dhawan was crucial. Both players shared a 90-run partnership for the first wicket. Prabhasimran got out after scoring 60 runs off 34 balls. According to Yusuf Pathan, ‘Prabhsimran Singh deserves congratulations. The kind of shots he played and the good opening partnership he had with Shikhar Dhawan was impressive.
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