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RCB's 201/8 vs RR: Patidar's 63, Iyer's 29* Steal Show After Early Collapse

Royal Challengers Bengaluru staged a remarkable recovery to post 201/8 against Rajasthan Royals after a disastrous start that saw them at 62/4. Captain Rajat Patidar anchored the innings with a composed 63 off 40 balls, launching a crucial assault in the 17th over. Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer provided the final push with an unbeaten 29 off just 15 balls. Rajasthan's bowlers, led by Jofra Archer's early strikes, started strongly but conceded heavily in the death overs.

Key Points: IPL 2026: RCB Posts 201/8 vs RR Despite Early Wickets

  • RCB recovers from 62/4 to post 201/8
  • Rajat Patidar scores crucial 63 off 40 balls
  • Venkatesh Iyer's 29* provides late flourish
  • Jofra Archer strikes twice in powerplay
  • Rajasthan bowlers struggle in death overs
2 min read

IPL 2026: Rajat Patidar's 63, Venkatesh Iyer's 29* help RCB post 201/8 in 20 overs vs RR despite early trouble

RCB captain Rajat Patidar scores 63, Venkatesh Iyer hits 29* to post 201/8 vs RR after early collapse. Jofra Archer takes two early wickets.

"His counter-attacking 63... breathed life back into the RCB camp - Match Report"

Guwahati, April 10

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer guided the defending champions above 200 while batting first against Rajasthan Royals in the 16th match of the Indian Premier League 2026 on Friday at Guwahati.

In a match that faced a delayed start due to rain, Royal Challengers Bengaluru overcame a disastrous start to post a formidable total of 201/8 in their 20 overs against the Rajasthan Royals. Captain Rajat Patidar's (63 runs off 40 balls) half-century and a late flourish from Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer (29* runs off 15 balls) ensured the visitors set a target of 202.

Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends. Jofra Archer provided a dream start for the home side, dismissing Phil Salt for a golden duck with the very first ball of the match.

The pressure continued as Archer struck again in the 3rd over, removing Devdutt Padikkal (14 off 7). Virat Kohli looked dangerous, racing to 32 off just 16 balls with seven boundaries, but his innings was cut short by Ravi Bishnoi in the 5th over. When Krunal Pandya fell shortly after, RCB were reeling at 62/4 within seven overs. Soon, Jitesh Sharma (5) and Tim David (13) also lost their wickets, with RCB stuttering at 94/6 in the 11 overs.

Captain Rajat Patidar took it upon himself to steady the ship. While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Patidar remained composed. He reached his half-century in 35 balls before shifting into a higher gear.

The turning point came in the 17th over when Patidar unleashed a brutal assault on Ravi Bishnoi, smashing two consecutive sixes to shift the momentum. His counter-attacking 63, including 4 fours and 4 sixes, breathed life back into the RCB camp before he finally holed out to Sandeep Sharma in the 18th over.

Brought in as the impact substitute, Venkatesh Iyer played a crucial cameo to push the score past the 200-run mark. Iyer scored runs in the final over, which yielded 21 runs. His unbeaten 29 off 15 balls, supported by Romario Shepherd's earlier 22, ensured RCB finished on a high.

Rajasthan's bowlers started brilliantly but struggled to contain the flow of runs in the death overs. Jofra Archer (2/33 in 3 overs), Ravi Bishnoi (2/32 in 4 overs), and Brijesh Sharma (2/37 in 4 overs) were the pick of the bowlers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this was a fantastic recovery. But RR's death bowling is a real concern. Giving away 21 runs in the final over when you had them on the mat at 94/6 is poor execution. Bishnoi was expensive after that hammering by Patidar.
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Vikram M
Archer's first ball wicket was pure fire! 🔥 But the middle overs strategy from RR was questionable. They should have attacked more when Patidar was new to the crease. Still, 202 is chaseable on this Guwahati pitch if Buttler and Jaiswal get going.
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Priya S
Feeling so proud of our boys! From a nightmare start to a winning total, this shows the never-give-up RCB spirit. Patidar for India soon? His temperament under pressure is top-class. And kudos to the team management for using the Impact Player rule perfectly with Iyer.
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Rohit P
The real worry is our top order. Salt, Padikkal, Kohli, Krunal all back in the hut so quickly. We can't rely on rescue acts every match. The think tank needs to sort this out before the playoffs. But for today, well played Captain!
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Michael C
That 17th over from Bishnoi changed the game completely. Two massive sixes from Patidar shifted all momentum. In T20 cricket, one over can define the match. Brilliant batting under pressure. Looking forward to a cracking chase now!

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