IPL 2025: RCB Captain Patidar Praises Krunal and Suyash for Victory

Kolkata, March 22 (NationPress) Following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) initiation of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 journey with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captain Rajat Patidar credited spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma for establishing a robust foundation for a resounding triumph.

As the old ball gripped at Eden Gardens, both Krunal and Suyash, despite facing early onslaughts, dismantled KKR’s renowned middle-order, restricting them to a total of 174/8, when a score exceeding 230 seemed feasible. Suyash recorded figures of 1-47, while Krunal achieved remarkable stats of 3-29.

“There was pressure, but it was a great day for me. If we continue to win like this, every day will be enjoyable. I was clear in my approach - I didn’t mind Suyash conceding runs, as he was our primary wicket-taker, and I supported him. Full credit belongs to both bowlers (Krunal and Suyash); from the 13th over onward, they displayed incredible courage and determination. Their mindset for taking wickets was truly inspiring,” Patidar stated.

“Having a player like Virat Kohli is fantastic; it's a tremendous opportunity for me to learn from one of the game’s legends. That shot off Harshit over backward point was pre-planned; I aimed for covers, and the ball came back nicely,” Patidar commented during the post-match presentation.

Pandya, who was awarded the Player of the Match, emphasized the need for spinners to elevate their performance in an era dominated by boundary-hitting batters. “When you play in front of such a large crowd, I had to focus intensely. If I get hit, it should be off a well-bowled delivery, and I’m pleased I performed well,” he remarked.

“You must adapt to the evolution of cricket. Batters possess the capability to hit sixes consistently. It's essential to enhance one’s skills; I ensure my bowling is quicker. While the change of pace is typically associated with pace bowlers, I’ve tried incorporating it too. Jitesh knows my plan now; if it's a wide yorker or a bouncer, if you have variations in your arsenal, why not utilize them (like a surprise bouncer)?”

“It’s been incredible; upon joining the team, I recognized the sheer excitement. The crowd support is immense; even in domestic matches, fans chant for RCB. My first 10 days have been quite rewarding,” he added.

RCB's pursuit of 175 was propelled by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, who quickly formed a 95-run opening partnership. Although Salt fell shortly before the halfway mark of the chase with a score of 56, Kohli stayed not out at 59 off 36 balls, leading RCB to a decisive win with 22 balls remaining.

“The partnership (with Kohli) was particularly satisfying; we (Kohli and I) haven’t batted much together, so it was gratifying to build such a partnership. I’m familiar with this ground and know KKR well,” Patidar noted.

“Indeed, the pitch behaved well in the second innings; one just needed to remain stable and hit the ball. This approach made a significant difference. Our batting group discussed this strategy, and I’m very pleased with the results. I had a wonderful experience here last year and secured the trophy. Of course, there are no friends in this league,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was the top scorer for his team with a well-timed 56, lamented the rapid succession of wickets post the 13th over, which shifted momentum toward RCB.

“I felt we were progressing well until the 13th over, but losing 2-3 wickets altered the game’s dynamics. The subsequent batters tried their utmost, but it didn’t pan out well,” Rahane expressed.

“When Venky (Venkatesh Iyer) and I were batting, we believed a total of 200-210 was within reach, but those wickets changed everything. A bit of dew was present, yet they had a strong powerplay. The score of 174/8 was below par. We aimed for over 200. We won't dwell too much on this game but will strive to improve in specific areas,” he added.