Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis was elated after his side registered a 14-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2022 Eliminator and booked their spot for the 2nd Qualifier match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday (May 27).
After losing the toss on an unpredictable pitch, the Faf-led side was asked to bat first. The skipper was removed in the first over of the match but the 28-year-old batter from Madhya Pradesh Rajat Patidar manufactured one of the most remarkable playoff innings in history, smashing 112* in just 54 balls.
The tournament’s most destructive batter Dinesh Karthik once again batted brilliantly, hitting 37* in 23 balls. These innings propelled the Royal Challengers to post a commanding total of 207/4.
In reply, KL Rahul (79 off 58 balls) led from the front after losing the wicket of Quinton de Kock early. He stitched a 96-runs partnership with Deepak Hooda (45 off 26 balls). Josh Hazlewood took three wickets and Harshal Patel’s outstanding bowling (4-0-25-1) in the slog overs effectively shifted the tide in the Challenger’s way. Eventually, the Lucknow team fell short of the target by 14 runs. Patel’s heroics with the ball was just as instrumental as Patidar’s century in Bangalore’s win.
"Today was a special day. I am over the moon with the way Rajat played. In a match like today, it's a bit more pressure. The way he played and celebrated his hundred, tells me that he's got a good head on his shoulder. I thought our bowlers were clear and calm," du Plessis told Star Sports in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Rajat has got all the shots and the way he attacks... Every time we are under a little bit of pressure, the way he comes and attacks. It is important to use the occasion and celebrate for the hard work we have done today. The most important thing was we were high on emotion and were very happy.
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The Bangalore skipper was extremely pleased with the way Harshal had bowled. He described the young pacer as the joker in the pack and delivers in every pressure situation.
"I felt that we were very high and we come down to keep clarity and be calm for the game. (Conversations with Harshal) He is the joker in the pack, isn't he? He is a high-pressure time bowler and every single time I am under pressure I can go to him. He told me that I want the pressure over, which was one of my first conversations with him," he added.
(INDIA TODAY INPUTS)
