33 balls, 9 sixes, 1 dot, 281.82 SR: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar produces all-time IPL playoff masterclass

ByTech Word News

Rajat Patidar (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Rajat Patidar is fast cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous batsmen in IPL playoff history. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain once again rose to the occasion and scored a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 deliveries against Gujarat Titans in the 1st Qualifier of IPL 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday.Patidar’s explosive knock powered RCB to a massive 254/5 – now the highest total recorded in IPL knockout history – while also adding another chapter to his stunning playoff legacy. The RCB skipper looked visibly charged after the GT fielders handed him two lifelines in the same. He dismantled the Gujarat Titans bowling attack with fearless batting, smashing five boundaries and nine massive sixes in a breathtaking display of batting power. Notably, Patidar bowled only one dot ball during the innings – a ball that eventually resulted in a bye – underlining the dominance of his batting.His strike rate of 281.81 is now the highest by a captain in an IPL innings of 50 or more.RCB went on a rampage in the death overs, smashing 86 runs in the last five overs and 114 in the last six overs to take the game away from Gujarat Titans.Patidar’s playoff record now speaks for itself. In six IPL playoff innings, he has scored 338 runs at an amazing average of 112.66 and a strike rate of 193.14. His record includes one century, two fifties, 25 fours and 24 sixes.His incredible playoff journey began with a memorable unbeaten 112 off 54 balls against Lucknow Super Giants in Eliminator 2022, followed by a decisive 58 against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the same season. Since then, he has continued to shine in the knockout matches against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and now Gujarat Titans.Only Suresh Raina (40), MS Dhoni (28) and Kieron Pollard (25) have hit more sixes than Patidar in IPL playoff history.

  • Rajat Patidar in the IPL playoffs
  • 112* (54) vs LSG, Eliminator 2022
  • 58 (42) vs RR Qualifier 2, 2022
  • 34 (22) vs RR, Eliminator 2024
  • 15* (8) vs. PBKS, qualification 1, 2025
  • 26 (16) vs PBKS, 2025, final
  • 93* (33) vs. GT Qualifier 1, 2026

  • Overall Playoff Numbers:
  • 6 shifts
  • 338 runs
  • Average: 112.66
  • Bet rate: 193.14
  • 1 century, 2 fifties
  • 25 fours, 24 sixes

Only Suresh Raina (40), MS Dhoni (28) and Kieron Pollard (25) have hit more sixes than Patidar in IPL playoff history.Earlier, RCB got off to an aggressive start as Venkatesh Iyer bowled Mohammed Siraj before falling for 19 to Kagiso Rabada.Rabada also tested Virat Kohli with pace and bounce during an entertaining match but Kohli responded with a brilliant and fluid 43 off 25 balls. Along with Devdutt Padikkal (30), Kohli helped RCB surge to 76/1 in the Powerplay.GT managed to pull things back briefly through disciplined spells from Rashid Khan and Jason Holder, who dismissed Kohli and Padikkal in quick succession.However, the match swung dramatically in the 14th over through the bowling of Prasidh Krishna.Batting on 18 and later on 20, Patidar was dropped twice in the same over as GT completely collapsed under the pressure. Kulwant Khejroliya then suffered a disastrous over that lasted 28 runs and included misfields, two no-balls and a wide.Patidar took full advantage of the reprieve.The RCB skipper threw in Khejroliya and Rashid Khan while Krunal Pandya chipped in with a valuable 43 during a quick-fire 95-run partnership. By the time Rabada finally dismissed Krunal, the Patidars had completely dominated the match.Patidar brought up his fifty with a formidable six off Rabada and continued the onslaught until the final over, producing one of the best innings ever witnessed in IPL playoff cricket.