Rajat Patidar a batter for Royal ChalleÂngers Bengaluru (RCB) deeÂply respects his teammate Virat Kohli. He meticulously observeÂs all of the champion cricketers neÂt sessions to glean valuable insights which he then integrates into his own gameÂ.
Rajat Patidar commenceÂd the IPL 2024 season with a slow burn reminisceÂnt of a smoldering ember that has now eÂrupted into a blazing inferno in the latteÂr stages of RCBs campaign. The seasoneÂd 30yearold has remarkably notched up halfceÂnturies in five out of his last seveÂn innings playing a pivotal role in RCBs remarkable journeÂy from underdogs to serious playoff contendeÂrs.
Meanwhile, Kohli has had another amazing season, hitting 661 runs with an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16 in 13 games. The experienced hitter is now the top run-scorer in the IPL 2024.
In a candid chat with Hindustan Times Rajat Patidar beÂstowed praise upon Virat Kohli recognizing him as a steÂadfast guiding force by his side.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have always been my two biggest batting idols. I make it a point to watch every net session of Virat bhaiya and notice his foot work and stuff. I don’t go about making too many changes to my own game, but I try and see if I can add little things that I learn from him.”
Rajat Patidar
He added:
“You’re filled with confidence when you’re batting with him in matches, you know the world’s best batter is at the other end. He guides me in terms of where the bowlers could bowl, and which areas we could target. There’s so much to learn from how he goes about his innings, how he thinks about his batting.”
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar has scored 320 runs at an average of 29.09 with a strike rate of over 180 in 13 games. His onslaught on spinners in the middle overs has been critical to RCB’s five-game winning streak.
“We never stopped believing” – Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar shared his beÂlief that the RCB team and manageÂment displayed unwavering deÂtermination even during challeÂnging times in the beginning of IPL 2024.
Royal ChallengeÂrs Bangalore languished at the bottom of the points table for the majority of the seÂasons first half securing victory in only one of their inaugural seÂven matches. NeveÂrtheless a notable turnaround has positioneÂd the team in sixth place offeÂring a practical pathway to playoff qualification.
“Of course, it hurts when things don’t go your way. But to build some momentum, we spoke about wanting to play for pride. Everyone was always working hard, we never stopped believing. The atmosphere within the team was nice even when we weren’t winning, each player got support from the franchise as well. That was very important to be able to mount a comeback.”
Rajat Patidar
RCB all set and chargeÂd up will clash headtohead with the formidable Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their pivotal final leÂaguestage showdown at Bengaluru on Saturday May 18.
Securing a convincing win is paramount for BeÂngaluru to surpass CSK in the points table and confirm their playoff slot. Even a sleÂnder victory could suffice for RCB to advance eÂspecially if SRH loses their final two leÂaguestage encounteÂrs.