Virat Kohli was in all praise for Rajat Patidar, whose blistering hundred powered the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 14-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator on Wednesday.
Rajat Patidar stole the show in a star-studded RCB batting line-up, smashing LSG’s pace and spin attack alike with disdain at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Walking in to bat in the very first over, the the 28-year-old carried his bat right through, adding a crucial 66 for the second wicket with Virat Kohli, before ensuring a late 84-run flourish in the final five overs alongside Dinesh Karthik (37* off 23).
Patidar struck 12 fours and seven sixes, taking a particular liking to spinners Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi, who were taken apart in the sixth and the 16th over respectively, before a sizzling pull of Mohsin Khan got him to the three-figure milestone.
RCB managed to put on 207/4 and the bowlers showed fine application to complete a 14-run win.
Kohli, who has himself produced several game-defining knocks across formats in the past, lauded Patidar for his brilliant display.
“I told him as well after the game as well that I have seen many impact innings and many innings under pressure over so many years. I have not seen many better than how Rajat played today,” Kohli said while chatting to Patidar in a video released by the host broadcasters after the game.
“Under pressure, big game, first uncapped player. The magnitude of the game was so big that I was feeling the tension in the air because I have been in those situations where you have to cross the line as a team. What he did was very very special, I don’t think that anyone should take that for granted. You should understand the excellence of the innings and appreciate it as a cricketer to watch an innings like that.”
💬 💬 “Haven’t seen many better innings than the one Rajat played.”
DO NOT MISS: @imVkohli chats with the man of the moment, Rajat Patidar, after @RCBTweets‘ win over #LSG in Eliminator. 👏 👏 – By @RajalArora
Full interview 📹 🔽 #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCBhttps://t.co/ofEtg6I3Ud pic.twitter.com/TG8weOuZUo
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2022
RCB will now travel to Ahmedabad for the second qualifier against the Rajasthan Royals to be played on Friday.
