What a knock from a player who came as an injury replacement and left a mark on the whole tournament!!! It could be a career-defining innings from Rajat Patidar and a tournament defining for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
What could have been an under-par score for Royal Challengers Bangalore, turned out to be a daunting one courtesy of a whirlwind knock from Rajat Patidar. The 28-year old batter looked settled and confident from the very first delivery he face and kept on playing his shots despite losing partners continuously on the other end.
On Wednesday, a place in Qualifier 2 is on the line as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants are squaring off in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League 2022 at the Eden Gardens.
LSG’s skipper KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl first after the rain delayed the game. His decision soon proved correct as Mohsin Khan dismissed RCB’s skipper Faf du Plessis for a golden duck. Rajat Patidar joined Virat Kohli in the middle and stitched a vital partnership of 66 runs for the 2nd wicket. Despite losing Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mahipal Lomror in quick intervals, Patidar kept playing his shots and kept the pressure on the opposition.
Rajat Patidar smashes his maiden IPL century against LSG
The right-handed batter got able support from Dinesh Karthik at the other end as the Royal Challengers Bangalore looked to finish big in the final overs. In the process, Rajat Patidar kept going for his big shots and soon he completed his maiden IPL century off just 49 deliveries.
Both batters took the game away from the Lucknow Super Giants with their explosive batting as the Reds posted 207/4 in 20 overs and Rajat Patidar returned unbeaten for 111 runs off 54 deliveries.
The fans could not keep calm after witnessing such a brilliant knock and praised the youngster.
Check out the best Tweets here:
While the focus stays on the big name players, it’s often how well the younger Indian lot soaks in the pressure that decides these games. Patidar’s played an absolute blinder and Lucknow’s fielding hasn’t helped .. The hundred club – in an eliminator #RCBVSLSG
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) May 25, 2022
RCB has lost its big 3s, but it’s nice to see the young Rajat Patidar taking control in the middle. Well played 👏👏 #LSGvsRCB #IPL2022
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) May 25, 2022
Came in as a replacement for Karnataka Batsman Luvnith Sisodia and is today giving RCB more than a chance to win this eliminator with his century. Take a bow Rajat Patidar you made all of us proud today. #RCBvsLSG #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/W4susn3obJ
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) May 25, 2022
Rajat Patidar .. talk about producing when it really counts .. Incredible innings .. #RCB #IPL2022
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 25, 2022
It can be difficult for an uncapped player to create his own identity amidst the superstars, but Rajat has made the no.3 spot his own. Another fine knock under pressure tonight, well played 👏🏽 #LSGvRCB #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/T5QiWoKWRX
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 25, 2022
Can I tweet twice about this Rajat Patidar’s inning ? BRILLAINT!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 25, 2022
Rising to the occasion #RajatPatidar 👏🏼👏🏼 but on a good pitch dropping catches made a huge difference! #Eliminator #IPL2022 #RCBVSLSG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/82hTo2y6Sa
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) May 25, 2022
Rajat Patidar 👏 #SPECIALknock #RCBVSLSG
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) May 25, 2022
Who needs Faf, Virat & Maxwell when you have Rajat Patidar in your side. He is playing out of his skin right now 🤯😱💥💥#IPL2022
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 25, 2022
A fiery inning by #RajatPatidar 🔥 Got an opportunity and he lapped it up! Way to go, lad 👏 #LSGvRCB #IPL2022
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 25, 2022
It is so exciting to see an uncapped player hit a magnificent century in a playoff game. The beauty of #TataIPL unearthing talents 😍
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 25, 2022
Rajit Patidar has played take a bow🙌🙌🙌.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 25, 2022
