Batting superstar Virat Kohli has showered praise on Rajat Patidar after the latter’s sensational century against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday (May 25).
In a game where even the likes of Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell failed to deliver, Patidar stood tall. The 28-year old slammed an unbeaten 112 off just 54 balls to help Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow by 14 runs.
His breathtaking knock was studded with 12 fours and 7 sixes. Patidar got into his rhythm with consecutive boundaries off Avesh Khan in the fifth over and did not look back after that. He raced away to his fifty off 28 balls and scored his next fifty off just 21 balls to reach his century in 49 deliveries.
Patidar became the first uncapped player to score a century in the playoffs. He now also holds the record of scoring the fastest century in IPL playoffs or the final. Thanks to his stunning knock, RCB recovered from 86 for 3 and posted a massive total of 207 for 4.
In reply, LSG fell short by 15 runs and finished their innings on 193 for 6. Captain KL Rahul scored a fighting fifty but it was not enough for his team to cross the finishing line.
Virat Kohli praises Rajat Patidar:
Following the game, Virat Kohli interviewed Patidar and lavished praise on his match-winning knock. The former RCB skipper stated that he has not seen many innings better than Patidar’s. Kohli was all praise for his teammate for the way he delivered in the pressure game.
“I told him as well after the game as well that I have seen many impact innings and many innings under pressure over so many years. I have not seen many better than how Rajat played today. Under pressure, big game, first uncapped player,” Kohli said.
“The magnitude of the game was so big that I was feeling the tension in the air because I have been in those situations where you have to cross the line as a team. What he did was very very special, I don’t think that anyone should take that for granted. You should understand the excellence of the innings and appreciate as a cricketer to watch an innings like that,” he added.
RCB will now lock horns against Rajasthan Royals for a place in the final. Royals lost to Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 and will have another shot at the final. Royals have not made it to the final of the IPL since 2008 while RCB last played in the final in 2016.