After Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, captain Rajat Patidar admitted that SRH outperformed his team at the key moments, particularly with their disciplined use of slower bouncers and slower yorkers. Even with the loss—by 55 runs—RCB stayed top of the table and set up a showdown with second-placed Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. RCB won that match to secure a straight berth in the final; if they had lost, their route would have offered another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
What Rajat Patidar said after the defeat
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Patidar pointed to SRH’s execution in the opening phase. He felt the top group of batters had delivered strongly and that Hyderabad had effectively controlled the innings.
“I think their top five batsmen played really well, and they purely dominated in the first innings,” Patidar said. When asked about the pitch, he didn’t believe it was the main issue, though he suggested the ball was holding a touch due to the slower deliveries. He added that SRH’s main strength lay in those slower bouncers and yorkers, which they carried out with precision.
Patidar also reflected on the importance of setting the tone, adding that while the target of being on top was clear, SRH had managed to pile on a lot of runs early.
On the chase conditions, he maintained that 255 was a competitive total on that surface, but the bowling plan made it difficult. He praised SRH’s five-bowler unit for their consistent lengths and pace off the ball, explaining that once the slower bouncers were used into the wicket, it became extremely hard for batters to get going.
How SRH built the 255/4
- Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with a measured knock of 79 off 46 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes.
- Abhishek Sharma then accelerated with 56 from 22 deliveries, including four boundaries and five maximums.
- Heinrich Klaasen added impetus late on, scoring 51 off 24 balls with two fours and five sixes.
- Those contributions propelled SRH to 255 for 4 in their full 20 overs.
RCB’s chase and the turning points
- In response, RCB started with intent after Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli combined for a 60-run stand—powered by Iyer’s 44 off 19 balls with four boundaries.
- Kohli contributed 15 off 11 balls, featuring two fours, but the momentum didn’t last as RCB lost wickets at regular intervals.
- RCB were reduced to 94 for 3 when the chase began to slip away.
- Rajat Patidar steadied the innings with 56 off 39 balls, striking six fours and one six, partnering with Krunal Pandya (41 off 31, including five fours) for an 84-run stand.
- Despite that recovery, RCB finished on 200 for 4, falling short by 55 runs.
For SRH, Eshan Malinga produced a standout spell of 2/33 and Sakib Hussain struck 1/31, helping Hyderabad close out the win with controlled bowling after posting a clinically built total.
Following this result, SRH moved on to play the eliminator against the team that finished fourth in the standings.
