IPL 2021: Virender Sehwag picks four players to look out for in the second phase

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has picked four players to watch out for in the second phase of the Indian Premier League.

Sehwag selected Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul as the four players to look out for.

Sehwag has huge expectations from Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal who has impressed him in his young career. Padikkal was RCB’s highest run-getter in the previous season and also scored a fine hundred against Rajasthan Royals in the first phase of the IPL.

Padikkal has impressed with his timing and has done a good job for RCB. On the other hand, Samson, Kishan, and Rahul have also impressed with their skills in the IPL.

Sehwag told PTI, “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. Who knows, if he does well, he might be drafted in as that Indian top-order for the T20 World Cup.”

Meanwhile, Sehwag feels Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are going to be favorites in the IPL after the tournament has been shifted to the UAE. MI and DC were the finalists of the previous season with the former winning the trophy.

“Since the second half has been shifted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I think Delhi and Mumbai will again be favorites and the five-time champions are slightly ahead,” added Sehwag.

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore is yet to savor success in the IPL. Sehwag added that everyone wants Virat Kohli to lead RCB to glory in the tournament. RCB have won five matches out of the seven they played in the first leg and look all set to qualify for the playoff stages.

“The IPL is important for every captain but I think more so for Virat as with his huge fanbase, everyone wants Virat to win a trophy for the Bangalore franchise if not multiple times, then at least once in his tenure as captain. This has been a strange year off the field due to pandemic and who knows it might be a different year for Bangalore from previous seasons and they go on to win the trophy.”