Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said that execution under pressure and staying calm will decide the result of Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans, as both teams enter the playoffs.
“Both the teams are doing pretty well, done pretty well throughout the season. The one thing on the given day who will execute their plan better, who will play better cricket, who will be calm under pressure, I think that team will win the match. I think both the teams are equally good. We have to be calm under pressure. Of course, it is a big stage, Qualifier 1. We have to hold our nerves and be confident in whatever we are doing,” he said ahead of the Qualifier 1.
However, RCB’s bowling attack has played a key role in their run into the playoffs, with pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood delivering consistently, while Rasikh Salam has done well and made breakthroughs around them as well.
“Our strength is bowling. The way we bowl in the Powerplay, I think that will be very crucial. Everyone in the team knows that we are not here to defend; we are here with the mindset of attacking. We will look for early wickets. That is what we have done so far. Doing the same thing again and again, I think it will make the difference. That is what Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasik are doing. We hope that we will continue in the same process,” he again shared.
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Speaking about his captaincy, especially leading a team filled with experienced internationals and senior IPL players, Patidar also said that the support system around him has allowed him to lead the team in his own way as well.
“To be honest, I don’t need to do anything extra. Our management, coaching staff and senior players have a lot of experience and that is helping me a lot as a leader. I get so many ideas from VK (Virat Kohli) bhai, Devdutt (Padikkal), Jitesh (Sharma), (Josh) Hazlewood, Tim David. I think their ideas and experience are helping me a lot. I don’t need to do anything separately. I am not as expressive as I am individually. But with the help of game awareness, I understand the situation well. I communicate as much as I can so that I can get more ideas about what we can do better. Overall, I don’t need to change anything. My strength, calmness, and the way I back my instincts, that is what I am doing,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Patidar praised Venkatesh Iyer, who had to wait for opportunities after moving from KKR to RCB this season as well. He said that his readiness despite limited opportunities shows strongly in his character.
“I know Venky from childhood and the way he presents himself is extraordinary. The way he plays in any given situation and his flexibility in the batting order, I really like his attitude. When he was in KKR, he was their main player. But in the RCB starting XI, he didn’t get any chances. He also knew that we weren’t going to be making any changes. But he accepted that. And he contributed as much as he could from outside,” he claimed.
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“And when he got the chance to play, he was ready. He was preparing himself even when he wasn’t getting opportunities. But the time he spent in nets, the quality he showed with DK (batting coach Dinesh Karthik) – we were all practicing together, so I was watching him, and we kept talking. And the way he communicated showed he was ready, and as soon as he got the opportunity, he cashed in,” he again shared.
Rajat Patidar also opined on the importance of the season’s highest wicket taker, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s presence within the dressing room and the influence on younger bowlers.
“I always say that Bhuvi is an experienced bowler and he knows his strengths. The way he talks to the junior players, especially the bowlers, makes his presence in the team very important. In the IPL, it is difficult for bowlers and sometimes you get hit, but what matters is how confident you are and how much clarity you have about your role,” Rajat Patidar concluded.
