Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar turned the IPL narrative on its head with a blistering 33-ball 93 in the Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. Even with a touch of early fortune, including a couple of dropped chances, Patidar kept his composure and delivered a knock that swung the contest RCB’s way. With Bengaluru booking a spot in their second straight final, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat also shared a revealing detail from the past—he once referred to Patidar as a “spin basher,” and the skipper appears to have taken it as motivation to respond with a performance that demanded attention.
Key takeaways
- Rajat Patidar struck 93 off 33 balls in Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans.
- RCB secured a place in their second consecutive IPL final after the win.
- Mo Bobat hinted he had earlier called Patidar a “spin basher,” suggesting the comment sparked extra focus.
- Bobat praised Patidar’s ability to repeatedly meet the ball on the middle of the bat across both pace and spin.
- RCB’s momentum was built not just by Patidar, but also through cameos from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy provided crucial early breakthroughs with sharp powerplay bowling.
Patidar’s statement knock and the “spin basher” spark
Patidar’s innings set the tone for RCB, with his captaincy and batting coming together when it mattered most. Bobat, speaking after the match at the post-game press conference, underlined how the knock reflected real work on Patidar’s game rather than just hitting form. He explained that last season he had at one point labeled Patidar a “spin basher,” adding that the remark seemed to irritate the batter because it suggested Patidar’s effectiveness was limited to spin bowling.
According to Bobat, Patidar may now be attempting to prove the point, and the early signs were visible in the way he approached the ball. Bobat pointed out that Patidar often finds the middle of the bat, regardless of the type of delivery or the line being offered—whether it’s pace or spin, and whether balls are coming onto his front foot or drifting toward his back foot.
Fearless intent and RCB’s identity under pressure
Bobat also spoke about the temperament Patidar has shown in high-pressure moments. He said the captain’s mindset has remained fearless even as wickets fell in clusters, describing the continuing aggression as a key part of RCB’s identity. Bobat added that the franchise has worked hard over the past couple of years to shape that approach, stressing that winning every match isn’t possible in a strong competition—so the real test is how the team responds against top sides.
He further noted that RCB have managed to tick multiple boxes during the season, whether it’s been through runs coming from different batters or bowlers striking at crucial intervals. In that context, Bobat credited Patidar with raising the level of the team’s performance and keeping the group aligned with its preferred brand of cricket.
What RCB aim for: aggressive batting and early wickets
Bobat said the pride for RCB comes from staying faithful to their chosen identity and the style they have been developing over the last two years—especially when the match situation tightens. He explained that the plan is to score runs aggressively and to target wickets early in the innings, framing it as a mindset both with the bat and with the ball.
He then expanded on how that identity is being built: it isn’t only about one player, but about a growing group of performers going out and proving that the team’s recruitment and planning can translate into consistent execution. Bobat stressed that the squad deserves recognition for developing this sense of who they are, and for carrying it into games without losing their edge.
