Yesterday’s Match Result: Rajat Patidar unbeaten 93 runs GT batting as RCB win Qualifier 1

Rajat Patidar (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) DHARAMSALA: Fans thronged the HPCA Stadium for the first IPL Qualifier on Tuesday, many of them hoping to witness Virat Kohli’s master class. However, Kohli’s promising innings was cut short by Jason Holder for 43. Instead, the crowd was treated to a stunning display of stroke from Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar. On their underrated captain’s unbeaten 93 off 33 balls, RCB thrashed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to march into their second consecutive IPL final.Patidar’s knock, studded with five fours and nine sixes, took RCB to an impressive 254/5, the highest total in the history of the IPL playoffs. RCB then bowled out Gujarat for 162 in 19.3 overs. More than the light and sound show at the break, the Titans seemed to be recovering from Patidar’s fireworks as they set out in pursuit. Their innings got off to a poor start when Sai Sudharsan was bowled by Jacob Duffy for 14. He was soon followed by skipper Shubman Gill, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for just two. Jos Buttler briefly threatened with an 11-ball 29, but once he was removed by Josh Hazlewood, Gujarat’s chase unraveled quickly. Wickets fell regularly as the Titans lost half their side in the Powerplay and reached just 51/5 after six overs. From there, the match became a formality and they ended up in the final. Rahul Tewatia offered lone resistance for the Titans with 68 off 43 balls. For RCB, Duffy claimed three wickets while Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh Salam Dar and Krunal Pandya took two each.As RCB batted, Patidar walked in and the stadium was briefly stunned after Kohli’s dismissal in the ninth over. The RCB fans soon found their voice again as Patidar started putting balls into the stands with ease. Patidar capitalized on the life offered by Kagiso Rabada when he was 21, storming into the Titans attack and adding 95 for the fourth wicket with Krunal Pandya.The Titans did not help their cause as they were sloppy in the field while their bowlers lost discipline in the final overs. The momentum shifted significantly in the 15th over when Patidar and Krunal launched an attack on Kulwant Khejroliya. The left-arm seamer bowled two noballs and a wide in the over as Patidar and Krunal put on 28 runs. Although Krunal fell for 43 off 28 balls, Patidar continued. He scored his fifty in just 21 balls and bowled with ease as RCB scored 86 runs in the last five overs. Standing deep in his crease, Patidar sent yorker-length deliveries over the ropes and pulled the short balls into the stands with clinical precision.

Which factor contributed more to RCB’s win?

After Venkatesh Iyer was put in to bat, RCB got off to a flying start by hitting three fours in Mohammed Siraj’s first over. At the other end, Rabada caused Kohli trouble by chipping away at the first three balls he faced with a steep bounce. Iyer was in no mood to rein in his attacking instincts, but after picking off Rabada for a six, he fell off the next ball in the 19th over.Kohli then found his rhythm and hit Rabada for two fours and a six in the final over.