Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper praised former captain Virat Kohli for his unbeaten 69-run innings that led the team to a convincing 6-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli’s impressive knock of 69 runs off 38 balls, including five fours and five sixes, marked his 64th IPL fifty and made him the first player to surpass 4000 runs in chases in IPL history. This stellar performance by Kohli enabled RCB to chase down the target of 202 runs with 26 balls remaining.
Patidar, in a post-match press conference, expressed admiration for Kohli’s batting prowess, labeling him as the team’s top chase master. He commended Kohli’s strategic approach, shot selection, and ability to assess game situations. Patidar emphasized Kohli’s peak form and shared his idolization of the player, highlighting the learning experience gained from observing Kohli’s dedication and performance on the field.
Reflecting on the match strategy, Patidar explained the decision to entrust Jacob Duffy with a fourth consecutive over, recognizing his promising form. The skipper revealed that the choice was made on the spur of the moment after assessing the ongoing game dynamics. Patidar underscored Duffy’s specialization in T20 bowling and the team’s confidence in his abilities, praising his exceptional performance that contributed significantly to RCB’s success.
Duffy’s remarkable bowling spell saw him concede only 22 runs in four overs while claiming three crucial wickets during the power play, further solidifying RCB’s dominance in the match.
