Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur on Wednesday (May 13) to climb to the top of the IPL 2026 points table, levelling with Gujarat Titans (GT) but ahead on net run rate.
Chasing 193, ace batter Virat Kohli smashed 105* off 60 balls with the help of 11 fours and three sixes to take RCB over the line with five deliveries to spare.
Speaking after the win, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, emphasizing a "one game at a time" approach.
“Of course, it feels great. You know, you've play well in the tournament and I think everyone came in the different stage and doing [well] for the team. I think that's a great sign. And being at the top of the table, it's always a good thing. Good for the team. And as I said, we are taking just one game at a time, one step at a time,” Patidar said at the post-match presentation.
Patidar was pleased with controlling the innings after 10 overs, noting they restricted the opposition to 194, which was a good effort.
He confirmed the four-seamer strategy was a tactical decision based on the pitch having variable bounce and being two-paced.
“(How satisfied were you at the halfway mark?) Very much satisfied, I would say, because after 10 overs, the way we controlled their innings, because after 10 overs, before 10 overs, I think they were, when it [run-rate] was around 10-11. So from there, I think we restricted them on 194 or something. It's a good sign for us,” Patidar stated.
“(Do you see that as a combination for another couple of games to come?) No, definitely it was, I would say it was for the conditions. So because last game we played on the same track and there was a variable bounce and two-paced wicket. So that's why we played four seamers,” he added.
Patidar lauded Kohli's performance, citing that the former RCB captain is "used to doing great things."
“I think it's a great one. I think, I don't know words, but I think he's used to doing great things,” Patidar said.
Rajat Patidar is now looking forward to a good batting track in Dharamshala followed by a game in Hyderabad.
“As I said, we have played good cricket, two more league games and we are just doing one game at a time. And as we know, from here we are travelling to Dharamshala. It's a good track, good batting track. So we will try our best to win that game and then Hyderabad,” he remarked.
While Patidar did not have a definitive update on injured Phil Salt, he expected the opener to join the squad soon. “I don't know, but I think he will come soon,” he said.
Patidar was hit on the head by a Kartik Tyagi bouncer while batting, but confirmed he was okay. “(How's the head?) It's okay. I'm okay. It was a proper head shot,” he quipped.
