Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wrapped up the IPL league stage at the top of the points table with 18 points and a superior net run rate, despite a 55-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final match. Captain Rajat Patidar marked his fourth half-century of the season during the game, while Virat Kohli set a record for the most 50-plus partnerships in men’s T20 cricket with 211 stands. Bhuvneshwar Kumar maintained his lead in the Purple Cap standings with 24 wickets this season.
Krunal Pandya expressed satisfaction with the team’s achievement of finishing first in the league table after 14 games, emphasizing the collective effort put in over the past two and a half months. He highlighted the team’s progress and stated that they are now just two steps away from their season-long goal.
RCB Head Coach Andy Flower commended the team’s consistency in a highly competitive league campaign, acknowledging the challenging nature of the tournament with 10 strong teams. Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive start, scoring 44 runs off 19 balls, provided RCB with a strong foundation in the chase, boosting team confidence heading into the playoffs.
Devdutt Padikkal stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as RCB prepares to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala on Tuesday, aiming for a spot in the final. The team remains focused on taking each game as it comes and building on their strong performances throughout the season.
