Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar played a fearless and innovative knock during the 20th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. In a high-octane encounter, Patidar lit up the evening with his range of strokes and a brave approach that nearly led to a scary moment.
After losing Phil Salt in the very first over, RCB bounced back strongly. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal counterattacked, setting the tone with aggressive stroke play. But it was Patidar, coming in at No. 4, who truly stole the show with his flair and intent. Alongside Jitesh Sharma, Patidar guided RCB to a daunting 221/5 by the end of their innings.
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Patidar didn’t spare any MI bowler, including opposition captain Hardik Pandya. In the 13th over, he attempted a scoop off Pandya’s fuller delivery and managed to send it over the keeper for a boundary. But two balls later, the RCB skipper had a close call. While trying the same shot again, he misjudged the length and the ball struck flush on his helmet grill.
Innovation at its best! ❤
Rajat Patidar brings out some unorthodox shots against his opposite number 👀
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Fortunately, the impact didn’t land on his neck or jaw, avoiding what could’ve been a serious injury. Displaying immense composure, Patidar brushed off the blow and continued unfazed. On the very next delivery, he showcased his adaptability with a cheeky uppercut over the keeper’s head for another four.
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He eventually ended his innings on 64 off just 32 balls, peppered with five boundaries and four towering sixes. It was a captain’s knock filled with aggression, innovation, and resilience — a performance that not only added to RCB’s huge total but also underscored Patidar’s growing stature in the IPL arena.
