"Could have done far better...": Rajat Patidar blasts Virat Kohli & others after RCB's loss to PBKS

The Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were seen in action against Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 34th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost the high-profile IPL 2025 game against the Punjab Kings by 5 wickets at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18.

We could have done far better as a batting unit - Rajat Patidar

RCB lost the toss and were invited to bat first. They had a horrible outing as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 63/9 before Tim David played a stunning innings to drag RCB to 95/9.

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Tim David slammed 50 runs off 26 balls, with 5 fours and 3 sixes, while skipper Rajat Patidar scored 23 runs off 18 balls, with one four and one six. The rest of the batters registered single-digit scores.

Defending the score, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and other bowlers gave their best and picked 5 wickets, but Punjab Kings easily crossed the line in 12.1 overs.

Speaking after the match, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar stated that the pitch was two-paced, but Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and other batters should have done a far better job. He said:

"Initially it was sticking and two paced, but we could have done far better as a batting unit. Partnerships are important, we have lost wickets in quick intervals and that's a big lesson for us."

Also Read: Rajat Patidar breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record as PBKS crush RCB

We can correct some of our mistakes in the batting unit - Rajat Patidar

While talking about benching the in-form Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar said that they made the decision looking at the conditions on the offer. He explained:

"We've had to make that change due to conditions (on leaving out Paddikal). The wicket wasn't that bad, it was under covers for a long time, it helped their bowlers, credit goes to them."

Rajat Patidar further slammed his batting unit, saying that they need to put match-winning totals on the board irrespective of the conditions on offer. He said:

"No matter how the wicket plays, we need to bat well and get a winning total. The bowling unit is doing pretty well, that's a big positive. The batters have played with intent, that's something pleasing. We can correct some of our mistakes in the batting unit."

How did RCB perform in the previous IPL match against PBKS?

On May 9, 2024, in Dharamsala, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a dominating performance to crush Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 60 runs, thanks to their stunning all-round efforts.

Asked to bat first, RCB piled up a massive total of 241/7 on the board. Virat Kohli led the RCB batting unit by smashing 92 runs off 47 deliveries, with 7 fours and 6 sixes.

Also, Rajat Patidar chipped in with a blistering 55 off 23, while Cameron Green slammed 46 off 27 as RCB kept the scoreboard ticking at a rate of over 12 runs per over.

Defending the total, the RCB bowlers didn't have to do something special and just needed to come up with decent lines and lengths to get the job done.

They did exactly that and despite a great 61 from Rilee Rossouw and a quickfire 37 from Shashank Singh, RCB folded PBKS for 181 in just 17 overs.

Mohammed Siraj (3/43) emerged as the top wicket-taker for RCB while Lockie Ferguson (2/29), Karn Sharma (2/36), and Swapnil Singh (2/28) made key contributions.

Also Read: Watch: Tim David finishes RCB's disastrous innings vs PBKS with 3 stunning sixes on the trot