Dharamshala, May 27: Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), praised his team following a commanding 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. He emphasized that the team played fearless and aggressive cricket, securing their spot in the IPL final for the second consecutive year.
RCB set a record by scoring 254 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. In response, Gujarat Titans were bowled out for just 162 runs. Patidar led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 93 runs off just 39 balls at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
After the match, Patidar stated that the team entered the game with a positive mindset, maintaining constant pressure on Gujarat’s bowlers. “It was a fantastic match for us. The way our batsmen dominated and every player batted aggressively was great for the team. We didn’t come with a specific plan, but all players were fully prepared for the challenge. It was crucial that our demeanor and style of play conveyed to the opposing team that we were here to dominate. Every batsman showed that confidence and intent,” he remarked.
RCB started strong, with Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal scoring quickly. Patidar and Krunal Pandya then took complete control during the middle overs.
The captain revealed that the team meeting before the match focused on maintaining an aggressive mentality. “We discussed that strong body language and an attacking mindset would be essential in a big match like this Qualifier 1. The way we controlled the game was impressive,” he added.
Regarding his batting approach, Patidar mentioned that he tries to gauge the pitch by playing a few balls before going for big shots. “I usually assess the pitch and ball conditions in the first 8-10 balls. After that, I have a clear idea of how to bat. I always prefer to put pressure on the bowler and not worry too much about the pitch,” he explained.
Patidar also praised his bowlers, noting that they executed their plans effectively. Gujarat lost five wickets during the powerplay and could not recover. “To be honest, it wasn’t easy to hit long sixes consistently, as the bounce was good. Our bowlers bowled excellently at the stump line, which paid off,” he said.
RCB’s strategy was to dismiss Gujarat’s top order quickly, as Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler were in great form this season. “We knew that Gujarat’s biggest strength was their top three batsmen. Therefore, our plan was to get them out during the powerplay, and thankfully, our strategy was successful,” Patidar concluded.
He emphasized the need for the team to recover well and prepare thoroughly for the final.
Leave a Comment