Patidar Scores 222 Runs at 213.46 Strike Rate as Kohli Heaps Praise on Him

Virat Kohli has heaped praise on Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, highlighting his fearless batting approach in IPL 2026 after RCB’s convincing five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli described Patidar’s mindset as one that appears less focused on match situations and more on putting pressure directly back on bowlers, a trait he believes has made the RCB captain one of the most dangerous batters this season.

Patidar has been in exceptional form in IPL 2026, scoring 222 runs in just five matches at a staggering strike rate of 213.46, placing him among the top run-getters in the tournament. His aggressive intent in the middle order has added a new dimension to RCB’s already explosive batting lineup, which features Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Devdutt Padikkal at the top, followed by a powerful finishing unit.

Speaking after the match, Kohli said Patidar’s clarity at the crease stands out, noting that he often looks to “assess the bowler’s heart rate rather than the situation". The remark underlined the RCB captain’s ultra-aggressive approach, which has allowed him to dominate bowling attacks and maintain a rapid scoring rate throughout the season.

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RCB’s batting depth has become one of their biggest strengths this year, with players like Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd providing strong finishing firepower from positions four to seven. Kohli pointed out that the structure of the lineup allows players to express themselves freely, knowing that there is substantial power still to come even if early wickets fall.

He also emphasized the balance in roles within the team, stating that he and Phil Salt set the tone at the top while others carry forward the momentum. According to Kohli, this “baton passing” approach has been key to RCB’s success, giving each batter clarity on their role and the freedom to attack without hesitation.

However, Kohli cautioned that the team would not always be able to produce high-scoring encounters, noting that not every match will reach totals of 230 or 240. He stressed that as the tournament progresses and pressure increases, adaptability and smart decision-making will become crucial, even for a power-heavy side like RCB.

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