Xtra Time Web Desk: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s star batter Virat Kohli heaped loads of praises on Rajat Patidar following his scintillating hundred against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator 1 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday night. Patidar hit an unbeaten 112 to become the first uncapped player in the Twenty20 tournament’s history to score a century in the play-offs as RCB defeated LSG by 14 runs. The Faf du Plessis-led side will next take on Rajasthan Royals in Friday’s second qualifier in Ahmedabad, with the winners to take on Gujarat Titans in the final two days later at the same venue.
“That was one of the best innings I have ever seen under pressure by Rajat. And I have seen him play many. That level of striking in this game, it was some batting. Watch out for him,” Kohli said in post-match video shared by the franchise on Twitter.
Patidar put on key partnerships including a 66-run stand with Kohli, who made 25, and 92 runs with in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who made 37 off 23 balls. Patidar’s 54-ball knock was studded with 12 boundaries and seven sixes as he took the Lucknow bowlers by surprise at Eden Gardens.
Patidar steered Bangalore to 207-4, a hefty total their bowlers defended by restricting Lucknow to 193-6. Bangalore’s Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood took three wickets.
Here is the video: