Royal Challengers Bangalore youth sensation Rajat Patidar thanked Virat Kohli for believing in a heartfelt social media post after starring in RCB’s thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator on Thursday.
Patidar posted a picture with the former RCB captain, “Thank you @imVkohli for believing in me!”
Thank You @imVkohli to believe in me! pic.twitter.com/ZBYtNESNZm
— Rajat Patidar (@RajatPatidarOff) 26 May 2022
Earlier, Kohli praised Rajat Patidar’s “very, very special” performance in his unlikely 14-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator match of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022.
On Wednesday, at the Eden Gardens, Patidar scored an unbeaten 112 from 49 balls to form the basis of Bangalore’s victory and set up their Qualifier 2 encounter with Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Friday.
“The magnitude of the game was so huge that I could feel the tension in the air because I’ve been in situations where you have to cross the line as a team. What he did was very special, I don’t think anybody can.” One should also take it lightly. You must understand the excellence of the innings and appreciate it as a cricketer to watch such innings,” Kohli said in a post-match chat video with Patidar, uploaded on the IPL website. said in.
Madhya Pradesh top-order batsman Patidar, who was drafted in the middle of the tournament as an injury replacement for Lavneeth Sisodia, came to Bangalore’s rescue after Faf du Plessis fell for a golden duck. His innings with the help of 12 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 207.41 mesmerized the spectators in the stadium.
“I told him after the game too that I’ve seen so many impressive innings and so many innings under pressure over the years. I haven’t seen much better than Silver today. Under pressure, big game, first uncapped player IPL history playoff To score a century in the match,” Kohli said.
When asked about his mindset when he came out to bat, Patidar said, “Seriously, there was pressure but I was confident that if I partner, I can put the team in a good position. It doesn’t matter.” It doesn’t matter that I played some dot balls in the beginning and I was confident that if I stayed on the wicket for a long time, I could cover it. I had in mind that if the dot ball is played, then my mind is not under pressure And whatever happens, the bowler in front can cover later.”
Patidar formed a crucial partnership for Bangalore, starting with a 66-run stand with Kohli, who scored 25, and then a whirlwind partnership of 92 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who scored 37 not out off 23 balls. are. “The innings I have played so far (in the tournament) was 14-15 overs. Here, some wickets fell and I was in my mind that if I save my end and score some runs, the team should He was taken to a safe place. That was my focus,” Patidar said.
Lucknow came close to chasing 208, but when KL Rahul fell to pacer Josh Hazlewood in the 19th over, the fate of the match was effectively sealed in Bangalore’s favour. “During the chase, I felt that if KL Rahul plays till the end, the match can go out of hand. I was thinking that no matter what happens, someone can get KL Rahul out so that we can come out on top.” Patidar.
Reiterating Patidar’s sentiment, Kohli said, “At the end, there were some tense moments. Obviously, it was a big game, but I think our bowlers held the nerve very well. Vaniya (Hasranga) ) how he bowled. The middle overs were outstanding. Josh (Hazelwood) bowled that crucial over at the end, and it was important for us to get two wickets. Harshal was unbelievable while Siraj was brilliant with the new ball and Shahbaz took his four Throw the over well.”
With the Kolkata leg of the playoffs now in place, Bangalore will travel to Ahmedabad to take on Rajasthan in Qualifier 2 on Friday, where the winner of the match will face Gujarat Titans at the same venue on Sunday.
“We were really happy that we crossed the line. The best part is that we have a day and then we play again the day after. Can’t wait to get to Ahmedabad and hit the ground again. Excited and happy how things have turned out. We want to go further in this tournament. Hopefully two more good games and then we can all celebrate,” Kohli concluded.