Rajat Patidar and Harshal Patel starred in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 14-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday. 

Faf du Plessis and co will now face the Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2, the winner of which will advance to the finals.

Patidar scored 112 runs off 54 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and seven maximums. He came into bat when RCB were 4/1. The 28-year-old then stitched a 66-run stand with Virat Kohli (25) first before sharing another 92 off 41 balls with Dinesh Karthik (37 not out off 23) to take the team to 207 runs. 

Also read: IPL 2022: Breaking down Rajat Patidar’s ton vs Lucknow Super Giants

“Today was a special day. The guys put in a special performance. Over the moon,” Faf du Plessis said. 

The RCB skipper then praised Rajat Patidar, saying, “For a young guy to play like he did. The way he celebrated also tells you he has a good head on his shoulders. His hundred was one of the best I have seen in the IPL.”

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Harshal Patel, who was coming off an injury, registered figures of 1/25 in his four overs. The pacer was handed the crucial 18th over. He bowled wide yorkers and off-cutter variations and tilted the match in his team’s favour.

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“Our bowlers were clear and calm and that was good. He has got all the shots. Every single time he attacks, he transfers the pressure back on the opposition. It is important to celebrate this despite something big is coming up. We were very happy as a group. As a group we needed some calm presence. We didn’t feel like it was a big game. Every one was calm and relaxed. Harshal is the joker in the pack. A special card I can pick. He bowls the important overs. Second last one over from him changed the game for us,” the RCB skipper added.