Rajat Patidar’s run of match-day pressure in the IPL playoffs continues as he prepares for Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala. The outing will be his fifth appearance in the playoffs across six seasons, underlining how often he has found himself in the business end of the tournament.
Patidar has already tasted heartbreak in the eliminator twice, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) going out in 2021 and again in 2024. In 2022, he made a statement in the Eliminator by smashing the first century by an uncapped Indian in the competition, before RCB was eventually knocked out in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.
Last season, he played a key role in steering RCB to a dominant Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings, which sent the franchise straight into the final. Now he is looking to produce a similar edge against GT, with an added incentive: winning Qualifier 1 brings a four-day breather and a direct route to the title match, rather than the grind of travelling and playing twice within three days if the team goes the longer way.
Quick facts
- Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala vs Gujarat Titans will be Rajat Patidar’s fifth playoffs appearance in six seasons.
- Patidar has seen RCB exit the eliminator twice: in 2021 and 2024.
- In 2022, he hit a century in the Eliminator as an uncapped Indian; RCB then lost Qualifier 2 to Rajasthan Royals.
- Last year, RCB won Qualifier 1 vs Punjab Kings to reach the final directly.
- Patidar says the top-two finish gives teams two chances, with a Qualifier 1 win sending them straight through.
- He expects the powerplay to be pivotal against GT openers B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill.
- GT’s opening pair have added 702 runs at a strike rate of 171, the highest for an opening duo this season.
- In last season’s Qualifier 1, Josh Hazlewood restricted PBKS to 107 before RCB chased it down.
Speaking on Monday, Patidar made it clear that finishing in the top two changes the shape of the pressure. “It’s pretty obvious—if you finish in the top two, you give yourself two chances to reach the final. Win Qualifier 1 and you go straight through,” he said, adding that the focus in the camp has not been on talk of scenarios, but simply on getting results.
He added that the team’s mindset from the start of the season has been to win every game. “If we win here, the team will get a good break before the final, which is important,” Patidar said, noting that the group is clearly looking forward to that extra time.
For Patidar, the blueprint to repeat last year’s success is straightforward. He believes RCB must mirror the approach they used in Qualifier 1 last season—where Josh Hazlewood, on a surface offering pace and bounce, tore through PBKS for 107 and then allowed RCB’s batters to complete the chase.
Powerplay battle and the opening duo threat
Patidar also expects the powerplay with the ball to be decisive in stopping GT’s aggressive start. GT’s opening pair of B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill have combined for 702 runs, the most by an opening duo this season, at a strike rate of 171.
He pointed to how Gill’s use of the step-out shot has brought more returns than in earlier phases of the tournament. Patidar also highlighted Sai Sudharsan’s form, saying he is on a run of five fifty-plus knocks—matching the joint-most in the IPL alongside David Warner, Virender Sehwag and Jos Buttler.
“Our strength is bowling,” Patidar said, underlining the confidence in the attack. He believes the manner in which RCB bowl during the powerplay will determine the contest, and stressed that the team is not built to sit back. “Everyone in the team knows that we are not here to defend; we are here with the mindset of attacking. We will look for early wickets,” he added.
Patidar believes repeating that aggressive blueprint is what can swing the match. He referenced the roles of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh (Salam), saying their process is already aligned with the team’s intent and that RCB hopes to stay on that track.
Leadership, preparation and senior-player experience
When asked whether his captaincy responsibilities differ from last year, Patidar leaned on the value of collective experience. He also referred to how the cricket director, Mo Bobat, has discussed Patidar’s belief in maintaining control on the field while leaving planning and preparation to the wider team setup.
Patidar said he does not feel the need to add extra workload. “Our management, coaching staff and senior players have a lot of experience and that is helping me a lot as a leader,” he explained. He listed the ideas he receives from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, describing their input as a major support in his role.
He added that while he may not be as expressive on an individual level, he uses game awareness and communication to stay aligned with what the team can improve. “I communicate as much as I can so that I can get more ideas about what we can do better,” Patidar said, finishing with the message that calmness, trust in instincts and backing his judgment are central to how he leads.
Patidar’s praise then turned to Venkatesh Iyer, a close state mate and friend who has added real selection pressure for RCB through his recent performances. His recent impact has come in the last two matches, making him a key factor in the team’s planning for Tuesday.
Against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala last week, Patidar’s absence due to concussion meant Iyer stepped in at No. 4 and made 73 not out. Then, in RCB’s final league fixture, he struck 44 quickly while opening alongside Kohli as the franchise chased 256 in a steep pursuit.
For Tuesday, the most likely opening combination depends on Phil Salt’s fitness. Patidar indicated that Salt is still dealing with a finger injury and that he is expected to miss out, with Iyer likely to take his place at the top. Patidar said he was still under medical care as well, while Salt did not bat and instead carried out laps around the ground—reinforcing the expectation that Iyer will keep his role as opener.
Patidar was effusive about why he rates Iyer so highly. “I know Venky from childhood and the way he presents himself is extraordinary,” he said, praising the way Iyer plays in different match situations and his ability to shift batting positions. He also recalled that when Iyer played for KKR he was a central player, while at RCB he had to wait for opportunities but still accepted the plan and contributed from outside the playing XI.
Patidar further described Iyer’s preparation approach. “He was preparing himself even when he wasn’t getting opportunities,” he said, adding that during net sessions he was watching closely—particularly the quality of Iyer’s work with Dinesh Karthik, the batting coach. Patidar noted that their conversations and Iyer’s communication in practice suggested readiness, and that once the chance arrived, he cashed in.
Looking ahead, Patidar sees Tuesday’s encounter as a contest between teams of equal quality. He believes the side that executes its plan better, plays steadier cricket and stays calm under pressure will come out on top.
“I think both the teams are equally good. We have to be calm under pressure,” Patidar said, reminding that the stage is big and nerves must be managed. “We have to hold our nerves and be confident in whatever we are doing,” he added as RCB target the straight path to the final.
