After his team’s five-wicket defeat in a rain-curtailed affair against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Friday (April 18), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar admitted that their batting performance was not up to the mark.  

Asked to bat first, RCB posted 95/9 on the board in the 14-over-a-side contest at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The visitors chase down the target in 12.1 overs.

Patidar emphasised the need for the team to bat better and achieve a winning total. He attributed the decision to leave Devdutt Paddikal to the Bengaluru conditions favouring the bowlers.

"Initially, it was sticking and two-paced, but we could have done far better as a batting unit. Partnerships are important; we have lost wickets in quick intervals, and that's a big lesson for us. We had to make that change due to certain conditions (leaving out Paddikal),” Patidar said in the post-match presentation.

“The wicket wasn't that bad, it was under covers for a long time, it helped their bowlers. Credit goes to them. No matter how the wicket plays, we need to bat well and get a winning total,” he added.

The RCB captain commended the bowling unit for their strong performance. “The bowling unit is doing pretty well; that's a big positive. The batters have played with intent; that's something pleasing. We can correct some of our mistakes in the batting unit."

RCB suffered an embarrassing collapse and were reeling at 42/7 before Tim David's 25-ball 50 propelled them to a respectable total.

Josh Hazlewood's stunning spell of 3/14 gave RCB hope, but PBKS got over the line on the back of Nehal Wadhera’s unbeaten 33 off 19 balls.

RCB continued their winless run at home with their third successive defeat in Bengaluru. The teams will now face each other in Mullanpur on Sunday (April 20).

(With ANI Inputs)