Rajat Patidar acknowledged that Sunrisers Hyderabad had piled on a “lot of runs” after they posted 255/4 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 league-stage encounter on Friday. Chasing a big target, RCB were held to 200/4 and ultimately fell short by 55 runs.
Quick facts
- Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL 2026 league stage) on Friday
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
- SRH innings: 255/4, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen
- Result: SRH won by 55 runs
- RCB chase: 200/4
- League standings: Both teams finished with 18 points
- Final positions: RCB topped the table; SRH finished third
- Net run rate: RCB 0.783 (ahead of Gujarat Titans at 0.695); SRH finished behind at the same points (with lower net run rate than RCB)
SRH’s big first innings set the tone after Sunrisers captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first. The hosts built their score through a strong batting display led by three half-century knocks—Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen—taking SRH to a commanding total.
RCB, despite the defeat, still left the league stage with the top spot. Their net run rate edged them ahead of Gujarat Titans, who also ended on 18 points but finished with a weaker net run rate of 0.695, while RCB’s number read 0.783. SRH, with the same points tally of 18, were placed third as the league concluded.
For RCB to remain in front of SRH even if they lost, they had to reach at least 166 runs to keep the net run-rate equation favourable. They not only cleared that mark but pushed on to close the chase at 200/4—setting a high bar, even though it wasn’t enough to overhaul SRH’s total.
RCB’s chase: starts fast, pressure builds
Bengaluru began aggressively with a new opening combination of Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Together, they added 60 runs in just 27 balls, putting the chase on a promising footing early on.
However, the momentum shifted once both openers were dismissed within a 14-run span. Devdutt Padikkal attempted to keep the innings moving and tried to maintain the tempo, but he was caught in the deep off Eshan Malinga, further tightening the contest.
Patidar’s post-match take
After the match, Patidar said the difference came down to SRH’s execution in both departments. He pointed to how SRH’s batting in the first innings set the game’s direction, adding that their top five batters played particularly well.
When asked about whether there were too many runs on the board, Patidar argued that 255 was a strong total for the surface. He also noted that SRH’s bowlers carried out their plans effectively, specifically mentioning their use of slow bouncers and yorkers.
Patidar suggested that while the slow bouncer can be gripping, SRH’s strength in that bowling style made life difficult for batters. He further added that as those deliveries come in slowly into the wicket, it becomes hard for the batter to score freely.
