IPL 2022 | RCB are no longer about just 3 stars, they are finding new heroes: Aakash Chopra
India Today
IPL 2022: Royal Challengers Bangalore came up with a collaborative effort to beat Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. Rajat Patidar's 112 from 54 deliveries was the stand-out as the former finalists broke the Eliminator jinx in Kolkata.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Royal Challengers Bangalore are no longer just dependent on their three big stars and the ability to find new heroes in every match has held them in good stead in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. RCB progressed to Qualifier 2 after beating Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday, May 25 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
RCB rode on a stunning 112 not out from Rajat Patidar, who walked in at No. 3, and smashed the LSG bowlers around with superb conviction. Patidar put the pressure right back on Lucknow after Mohsin Khan got the big wicket of Faf du Plessis early.
Virat Kohli and Patidar added 66 runs for the 2nd wicket but the former captain was not able to convert his start into a big knock as he fell in the 7th over for 25. Big-hitter Glenn Maxwell had a rare off day as he fell cheaply but Dinesh Karthik came up with a good late cameo.
On a day when du Plessis, Maxwell and Kohli failed to get going, it was 28-year-old Patidar who did the job for RCB with one of the finest knocks played in the knockout stages of the IPL.
"The biggest thing is that neither did Faf score runs - he was dismissed for a golden duck, nor did Virat Kohli score runs - scored a run-a-ball 25. Maxwell's bat also does not fire but despite that, this team wins the match. This is what a team is all about, this team is no longer about the three stars," Chopra said during his YouTube show.
The story has gone far away from that, they are doing amazing death bowling. They are finding new heroes in every game and this time around it was all about Rajat Patidar."
As Chora pointed out, it's been a collaborative effort for RCB in IPL 2022. While captain du Plessis has chipped in with some crucial knocks, Kohli has managed to keep the show running despite not being in the best of forms. Dinesh Karthik has been a revelation for RCB at the finisher's role while Maxwell has also chipped in with a couple of cameos and, at times, with the ball too.
