Bengaluru’s Royal Challengers have succeeded. In his first season as captain, Rajat Patidar has led the team to the Indian Premier League final. Known for their batting prowess in the past, RCB advanced to the competition final with a spectacular bowling performance that saw them dismiss Punjab for only 101 runs in 14.1 overs.
On a fiery Mullanpur field that favoured the fast bowlers in both innings of the May 29 match, the outstanding bowling display laid the groundwork for a resounding victory. On a wicket that favoured fast bowlers in both innings of the match, the whole RCB bowling line swept out Punjab for only 101 runs, paving the way for the triumph.
Although Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma both took three wickets, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal deserve praise for destroying the renowned Punjab Kings top order in the first four overs of Qualifier 1. Bengaluru’s bowling team ensured that they did not release the screws after a fantastic start, mercilessly attacking Punjab with each and every ball. At their home stadium, where the postponed game was being played, Punjab, who were participating in the playoffs for the first time since 2014, broke under pressure and collapsed like a deck of cards.
The blame also fell on Punjab’s hitters, who attempted to be overly aggressive, a tactic that hasn’t worked for any side this season, and failed to read the situation. Despite playing smart innings this season, players like Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh were unable to salvage the squad in the crucial match. Perhaps this terrible performance is a positive thing because it gives them another chance to make it to the final this season.
There was never going to be any doubt that RCB would uncover this. In contrast to past seasons, RCB has demonstrated that they have a greater batting order arsenal than Virat Kohli. Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Romario Shepherd, and even Krunal Pandya have all helped Kohli at various points during the current tournament. And that was the main focus once more, as RCB quickly reached the total in just 10 overs, winning the match by 8 wickets on Thursday, even though Kohli was out in the game’s fourth over.
Unlike Punjab’s encounter against KKR at the same site earlier in the season, RCB had the chase under control and ensured that it did not devolve into a low-scoring drama, with the exception of one over from Kyle Jamieson (4th) in which they lost the wicket of Virat Kohli.
With his fastest IPL fifty (23 balls), Phil Salt was a batting star. At first, he was measured with the bat, but the fast bowlers’ short, wide bowls caught his attention. Salt, remained unbeaten at 56 off just 27 balls, guiding RCB to a massive victory. He had the company of Rajat Patidar, who returned to the captaincy on Thursday and hit an unbeaten 15 runs off just 8 balls. Patidar finished the match with a massive six to finish the game, adding a special touch for RCB tonight.
Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride. RCB have reached the playoffs nine times in the Indian Premier League. Out of those nine, three times they have reached the final – in 2009, 2011, and 2016. And yet, RCB have not won an IPL title. On Thursday, under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB meant business. They were aggressive from the very first delivery and did not really care about yorkers or slower deliveries. The fast bowlers hit the hard length and the spinners flighted it up, which resulted in a truckload of wickets inside the first 10 overs. Yes, the majority of the batters from the Punjab side got out to poor shots, but those shots were the direct result of the relentless pressure exacted by the RCB bowling unit.
Credit must be given to Rajat Patidar, who unlike most T20 captains, did not overdo it at the Mullanpur Stadium. There were no frequent bowling changes, there were no overs of spin in the powerplay. Rajat stuck to the traditional playbook and simply extended the spells of the bowlers who were doing well at the time. Rajat was lucky to win the toss on a greenish-looking Mullanpur pitch and then let his pacers loose inside the powerplay.
The fast bowlers seized the opportunity immediately, dismissing Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shreyas Iyer with the help of the small seam movement. The top-order collapse alarmed Punjab, who gave them the remaining wickets by selecting some terrible shots in the closing stages of the match. In a dreadful advertisement for their mental fortress this season, Punjab was bowled out in 15 overs during the playoffs.
Punjab Kings captain refused to bow down after the loss on Thursday, stating that he had lost a battle and not the war. Punjab will play their next match in Ahmedabad against the winners of Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, a game that happens on May 30, at the Mullanpur Stadium. To leave Mullanpur, a venue where they have struggled this season, Punjab would likely exhale with relief. Punjab has defeated two of the bottom-dwelling clubs this season, CSK and KKR, in two games played at the location.
