Rajat Patidar spared a minute to thank the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans after their sensational win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur, qualifying for the IPL final. RCB’s bowling was phenomenal, reducing Punjab to a mere 101 runs, the second lowest score in IPL playoff history.
“I want to thank RCB fans, not only Chinnaswamy but wherever we go, we feel at home. We all love you. Just one more game and let’s celebrate together,” said Patidar.
“We were very clear in our bowling plans. Fast bowlers used the surface pretty well. The way Suyash chipped in with his line and length was incredible,” said Patidar.
Pursuing the target with comfort, Phil Salt’s key 54 runs took RCB to an 8-wicket victory, taking the team to the final for the first time in almost a decade. Patidar, who has been a steady leader all season long, had the privilege of scoring the winning runs. In the post-match ceremony, he addressed the crowd, thanking them warmly for their constant support wherever the team has traveled. Patidar expressed the extent to which the team appreciates their support and asserted that now the quest is reduced to the last game and that together they wish to toast the grand prize.
“As a captain I am pretty much clear about his bowling. His strength is to bowl in line of the stumps. His googly is very hard to pick. I don’t want to confuse him. We don’t mind him conceding a few runs,” said Patidar.
The RCB skipper also doffed his hat to Phil Salt, saying that he is a big fan of him.
“The way he’s batting in most of the matches. The way he’s giving the start, it’s a dream to watch him from the dug out. I am a huge fan of him,” said Patidar.
On the bowling side, Patidar appreciated the team’s explicit strategy and complimented the pacers on making the most of the conditions of the pitch. He also appreciated the useful input of Suyash Prabhudessai, revealing that he had kept things uncomplicated with him by instilling a steady line aimed at striking the stumps without any ambiguity to enable the young bowler to deliver with confidence.
