After Royal Challengers Bengaluru handed Chennai Super Kings a heavy defeat, RCB captain Rajat Patidar credited Tim David’s late-innings finishing as a major reason his side could convert momentum into a commanding total. The result underlined CSK’s struggles as they registered a third straight defeat and, since the 2024 season, have now lost four consecutive matches against RCB. With MS Dhoni sidelined by a calf issue, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led unit has continued to hit rough patches.
RCB’s captain praises Tim David after the big win
Speaking after the match, Patidar said the atmosphere in the dressing room felt special, but emphasized that it was the collective satisfaction from playing positive cricket that mattered most. He pointed to early phases where the ball appeared to be stopping slightly, before noting how Phil and Virat Kohli’s batting set the tone for the innings.
Patidar also highlighted the excitement among the players, describing how the team enjoyed the hitting—especially the sixes—from dugout and from the non-striker’s end.
Patidar’s mindset on the crease and his partnership with David
Patidar explained that when he walks out to bat, his approach is to apply pressure on the bowler. That intent showed in his knock of 48 not out off 19 deliveries, which included one boundary and a flurry of sixes. He then combined with Tim David to build a decisive 35-ball stand worth 99 runs, with David striking late to turn the contest in RCB’s favour.
- Rajat Patidar: 48* off 19 balls, with a four and six sixes
- Patidar–Tim David: 99 runs in 35 balls
- Tim David: 70* off 25 balls, including three fours and eight sixes
In Patidar’s view, David’s ability in the death overs stands out because he is a specialist and, as he put it, among the best finishers he has ever seen. He also suggested David’s impact is not a one-off, pointing to similar finishing quality from the previous season. Patidar further described him as someone who reads situations well, remains consistent across the game, and delivers when the match tightens.
Key bowling contributions: Krunal, Bhuvneshwar and Abhinandan
While celebrating RCB’s batting, Patidar also spoke about the bowlers who kept CSK under pressure after the innings. He singled out Krunal Pandya’s spell of 2/36 across four overs, which included dismissals of half-century-makers Sarfaraz Khan and Kartik Sharma.
Patidar said that whenever he felt CSK were pushing back, he would look to Krunal, citing his belief in the bowler’s ability to respond to pressure moments.
- Krunal Pandya: 2/36 in four overs (wickets included Sarfaraz Khan and Kartik Sharma)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: delivered yorkers in the death overs phase
- Abhinandan Singh: supported with yorkers during the final overs
Patidar also praised the way the bowling unit executed in the closing stages. He noted the quality of Bhuvneshwar and Abhinandan’s yorkers, while adding that Romario Shepherd’s involvement—after coming into the side in the middle—proved valuable through a crucial over. Patidar finished by commending Suyash as well for bowling four impressive overs, terming the overall effort a strong team performance.
Score details: RCB’s 250/3 and CSK’s collapse to 207 all out
RCB posted a substantial 250/3 after choosing to bat first in their match against five-time champions CSK at their home ground. While Virat Kohli (28 off 18 balls, with two fours and a six) and Phil Salt (46 off 30 balls, with three fours and two sixes) started in the right direction, it was the late acceleration from the middle order that ensured a massive platform.
Alongside Patidar and David, RCB also received power-hitting from Devdutt Padikkal, who struck 50 off 29 balls with six fours and two sixes.
- RCB total: 250/3
- Virat Kohli: 28 (18), 2 fours, 1 six
- Phil Salt: 46 (30), 3 fours, 2 sixes
- Devdutt Padikkal: 50 (29), 6 fours, 2 sixes
- Rajat Patidar: 48* (19), 1 four, 6 sixes
- Tim David: 70* (25), 3 fours, 8 sixes
When CSK chased, RCB kept them under control early and restricted them to 30/3. Sarfaraz Khan offered resistance with a 25-ball 50, striking eight fours and two sixes. There was also a phase of fight when Prashant Veer and Jamie Overton put together a 57-run stand—Veer scoring 43 off 29 balls with six fours and Overton making 37 off 16 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. However, CSK ultimately folded for 207 in 19.4 overs.
- CSK score: 207 all out (19.4 overs)
- CSK: 30/3 early in the chase
- Sarfaraz Khan: 50 (25), 8 fours, 2 sixes
- Prashant Veer: 43 (29), 6 fours, 0 sixes noted
- Jamie Overton: 37 (16), 4 boundaries, 2 sixes
Bowling figures and milestone
In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with 3/41 in four overs and became only the second bowler to reach 200 wickets in IPL history. Krunal, Abhinandan and Jacob Duffy each chipped in with two wickets as RCB tightened the screws throughout the chase.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 3/41 in four overs (second to 200 IPL wickets)
- Krunal Pandya: 2 wickets
- Abhinandan Singh: 2 wickets
- Jacob Duffy: 2 wickets
