New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar credited his team’s fearless intent and attacking body language after a crushing 92 run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the IPL.
Patidar produced a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls to lead RCB to a massive total of 254 for 5, helping the franchise secure its place in a second consecutive IPL final. Reflecting on the performance, the skipper said the team entered the contest with a clear attacking mindset and a determination to put pressure on the opposition bowlers from the start.
According to Patidar, the emphasis before the game was not necessarily on targeting specific bowlers, but on showing intent and positive body language throughout the innings. He said every batter approached the match with confidence and aggression, especially considering the importance of the playoff stage.
The RCB captain also spoke about his personal batting approach, explaining that he usually takes a few deliveries to assess pitch conditions before switching gears aggressively. He added that once settled, his focus remains on putting bowlers under pressure rather than worrying about losing his wicket.
Patidar noted that the pitch was not as easy as the final score suggested, saying the bounce made clean hitting difficult at times. He praised the RCB bowling attack for executing plans effectively and targeting the stumps consistently.
RCB’s bowlers made early breakthroughs by dismissing Gujarat Titans’ dangerous top order during the powerplay. Patidar said the team had identified the importance of removing key batters like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler early, and the strategy worked perfectly.
Alongside Patidar’s explosive knock, Virat Kohli scored 43 while Krunal Pandya added another quick 43. In reply, Gujarat Titans collapsed for 162 despite resistance from Rahul Tewatia and Buttler.
Fast bowlers Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismantled the Titans’ batting lineup with crucial early wickets.
The victory marked RCB’s fifth appearance in an IPL final and one of the biggest wins in the history of IPL playoffs.
