Patidar leads recovery as RCB post 200-plus total
Royal Challengers Bengaluru recovered from early setbacks to post a total beyond 200, with Rajat Patidar anchoring the innings under pressure.
RCB lost wickets early after Jofra Archer struck in the first over to remove Phil Salt. A short partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli offered some stability, but Rajasthan Royals kept picking wickets. Archer returned to dismiss Padikkal, while Ravi Bishnoi accounted for Kohli, leaving RCB three down inside the powerplay.
The pressure continued through the middle overs, with wickets falling regularly and Brijesh Sharma also contributing with the ball. At one stage, RCB looked at risk of falling short of a competitive total.
Captain’s knock shifts momentum late
Patidar held one end and built the innings carefully. He started slowly, scoring 20 off his first 22 balls, before accelerating with 30 runs off the next 15 to reach his fifty. His approach helped RCB regain control and push towards a strong finish.
RCB also brought in Venkatesh Iyer as an Impact Sub, highlighting the situation they were in. Patidar was dismissed in the 18th over by Sandeep Sharma, but Iyer added quick runs at the end, including a 21-run over in the final stages.
The total took RCB past 200, with the team now level with Chennai Super Kings for most 200-plus totals in IPL history. Despite that, Rajasthan Royals will back their batting line-up to chase the target on a good surface.
Most 200-plus totals in the IPL
37 – CSK
37 – RCB*
33 – PBKS
32 – MI
30 – KKR