Patidar's 33-ball masterclass powers RCB to highest-ever IPL playoff score against GT
Dharamsala, May 26
A blistering knock from Rajat Patidar, backed by crucial contributions from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Krunal Pandya, powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League at Dharamsala on Tuesday.
RCB also scripted history by registering the highest total ever in an IPL playoff/knockout match, surpassing GT's 233/3 against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad in 2023.
Patidar led the charge with a sensational 93 off just 33 deliveries, while Kohli chipped in with 43, Padikkal scored a brisk 30, and Venkatesh Iyer added 19, laying the foundation for RCB's explosive finish.
Asked to bat first, Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli opened the innings for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Iyer got off to an aggressive start, taking on Mohammed Siraj and smashing 14 runs in the opening over.
Kagiso Rabada struck in the following over, dismissing Venkatesh Iyer for 19 and bringing Devdutt Padikkal to the crease. Padikkal counterattacked immediately, hammering Rabada for three consecutive boundaries in the fourth over.
Padikkal and Virat Kohli then dominated the Gujarat Titans bowlers, powering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 76/1 at the end of the Powerplay. However, Jason Holder provided a crucial breakthrough in the ninth over, striking twice to remove both Kohli and Padikkal in a major blow to RCB.
Skipper Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Krunal Pandya steadied Royal Challengers Bengaluru's innings with a crucial partnership after the middle-order setbacks. The duo then shifted gears dramatically in the 15th over, hammering Kulwant Khejroliya for 28 runs to power RCB past the 150-run mark.
The duo continued their assault, taking on veteran spinner Rashid Khan and smashing him for 21 runs in the following over. However, in the 17th over, Kagiso Rabada struck again, dismissing Krunal Pandya and sending him back to the pavilion, bringing Tim David to the crease.
However, Patidar continued his aggressive approach, taking on Rabada for 15 runs to bring up a blistering half-century in just 21 balls.
Prasidh Krishna then broke the partnership in the 18th over by dismissing Tim David for just 4, bringing Jitesh Sharma to the crease.
Sharma and Patidar smoked Siraj for 21 runs in the 19th over, to take RCB's score to 235. Sharma and Patidar continued their assault in the final over as they slammed Krishna for 19 runs in the final over to power RCB to a massive 254/5.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, RCB is showing some consistency in the playoffs. Patidar's innings was pure class - timing and power combined perfectly. Virat's 43 was solid too, setting the platform. But honestly, GT bowlers looked clueless in the death overs. Hope RCB doesn't repeat their chocking history. 💪
Highest total in an IPL playoff match - that's a record that will stand for years! Patidar has really matured as a batter this season. His ability to read the game and accelerate when needed is impressive. Krunal Pandya's cameo of 19 wasn't huge but that 28-run over against Khejroliya changed the momentum completely.
As a neutral fan, I'm just enjoying this batting display. 254 is huge, but let's not forget GT chased down 233 against MI last year in the playoffs. This is still game on! Patidar's innings was breathtaking though - clean striking against world-class bowlers like Rashid Khan is no joke.
I'm slightly concerned about RCB's middle order collapse though. Kohli and Padikkal got out in the same over, and then Tim David went cheaply. Thank God for Patidar and Jitesh Sharma finishing well. If this was a 20-run lesser total, GT would have fancied their chances. Consistency in batting needs improvement. 🤔
What a match we have in our hands! Patidar's 93 off 33 - that's a strike rate of 281! Absolutely brutal hitting. But GT have chased big totals before. RCB bowlers
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