IPL Qualifier 1: RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar Smashes 93 Off 33, Give GT A Target Of 255

Rajat Patidar smashed 93 from only 33 balls, driving Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League at Dharamsala, the highest total in any IPL playoff or knockout game.

The huge score went past Gujarat Titans’ 233/3 against Mumbai Indians in 2023, which had been the previous record. Virat Kohli made 43, Devdutt Padikkal hit 30 and Venkatesh Iyer added 19, giving strong support around Patidar’s explosive hitting.

Rajat Patidar IPL playoffs record stands out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Sent in to bat, Royal Challengers Bengaluru started in attacking style as Venkatesh Iyer took 14 runs off Mohammed Siraj’s opening over. Gujarat Titans then hit back when Kagiso Rabada removed Venkatesh Iyer for 19 in the second over, shifting the early momentum.

Devdutt Padikkal countered that setback with an immediate surge. Padikkal cracked three fours in a row off Kagiso Rabada during the fourth over. With Virat Kohli also scoring freely, the pair guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 76/1 by the end of the Powerplay, setting a strong base.

The platform changed quickly in the ninth over. Jason Holder produced a decisive spell for Gujarat Titans, dismissing both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the same over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru were forced to rebuild after losing two key batters in quick succession.

Rajat Patidar IPL playoffs charge lifts Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya steadied the innings after Jason Holder’s double strike. The partnership gathered pace around the 15th over, when Kulwant Khejroliya conceded 28 runs, pushing Royal Challengers Bengaluru beyond 150 and shifting pressure squarely back onto Gujarat Titans’ bowlers.

The assault continued in the 16th over as Patidar and Krunal Pandya took 21 runs from Rashid Khan. Kagiso Rabada finally removed Krunal Pandya in the 17th over, bringing Tim David to the middle while Rajat Patidar kept attacking from the other end.

Rajat Patidar brought up a 21-ball fifty while taking 15 runs off Kagiso Rabada, keeping the scoring rate high. Prasidh Krishna dismissed Tim David for 4 in the 18th over, but Jitesh Sharma arrived and maintained the tempo for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Gujarat Titans.

Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar plundered 21 runs from Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, lifting the total to 235. The pair then took 19 more off Prasidh Krishna in the final over, sealing Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s imposing 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in this IPL playoff clash.