RR vs RCB: Rajat Patidar impresses again, joins elite list after following 112* with 58 in IPL playoffs
India Today
Rajat Patidar saved Royal Challengers Bangalore from downfall with another impressive innings after Virat Kohli got dismissed in the Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were able to put up a decent total owing to some fantastic hitting from Rajat Patidar in the Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League. Patidar scored 58 off 42 balls after RCB were put in a spot of bother, losing Virat Kohli in the second over of the game. Not only did Patidar rescue RCB from a potential downfall on a sticky wicket, he scored at a brisk pace before getting out in the 16th over of the match, trying to clear the ropes against Ravichandran Ashwin.
The 28-year-old from Madhya Pradesh had done exactly the same in the Eliminator as well hitting a magnificent century, becoming the prime reason behind RCB’s 207 runs in the game.
The uncapped batter from Madhya Pradesh reached an impressive feat playing those two innings. He became only the second Indian uncapped Indian batter to hit two consecutive 50+ scores in the Indian Premier League.
Patidar has played just eight matches this season and has 333 runs at a strike rate of over 150. Many amongst the RCB team have stated that he is highly rated in the camp, however a long rope is still awaited.
Patidar also placed himself on a coveted list in the Indian Premier League from his two innings in the IPL playoffs. He now has the second highest run in the playoffs stages in a season, behind Australian legend David Warner.Warner dominates the list with 190 runs in the 2016 season, and is followed by Patidar (170), Murali Vijay’s 156 in 2012 season and Wriddhiman Saha’s 156 from his Punjab Kings days in 2014.
Despite Patidar’s heroics, RCB could not manage to win the game, as an attacking Jos Buttler blew them away with an incredible century in just 59 balls. He finished with 106 runs off 60 balls to win Rajasthan the game by 11 balls remaining. Rajasthan will face Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans on Sunday, 29 May in Ahmedabad.
