It was a challenging start for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), as rain and a tricky pitch combined to test the batting lineup early on. The match at Barsapara Stadium began after a 70-minute delay, and once play resumed, the conditions clearly favored the bowlers more than expected.

RR captain Riyan Parag opted to bowl first, and his decision paid off instantly. Jofra Archer made an immediate impact, dismissing Phil Salt on the very first ball of the innings. It was the perfect start for Rajasthan, setting the tone for what looked like a long evening for RCB.

Despite the early setback, Virat Kohli tried to counter-attack, striking boundaries with confidence. His quickfire 32 off 16 balls gave RCB some early momentum, but the pitch wasn’t easy to trust. Devdutt Padikkal showed glimpses of intent but couldn’t convert his start, falling for 14.

The pressure kept building as wickets fell at regular intervals. Ravi Bishnoi delivered a crucial blow by removing Kohli just before the end of the powerplay, leaving RCB struggling at 58 for 3. From there, the innings quickly unraveled. Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma and Tim David all failed to make significant contributions, and RCB found themselves in deep trouble at 94 for 6 inside 11 overs.

At that stage, a total of even 150 looked uncertain. Rajasthan’s bowlers had complete control, exploiting the uneven bounce and keeping the batters under constant pressure.

Rajat Patidar plays a captain’s knock for RCB

With the innings in danger of collapsing, the responsibility fell squarely on skipper Rajat Patidar. Walking in during a crisis, Patidar showcased not just skill but also remarkable composure under pressure.

Rather than going into survival mode, he chose a balanced approach- respecting good deliveries while punishing anything loose. His innings was a perfect blend of patience and aggression, especially on a surface where timing the ball wasn’t straightforward.

Patidar steadily rebuilt the innings, first stabilizing the situation and then gradually shifting gears. He brought up a well-crafted half-century and ensured that RCB crossed the 150-run mark, which at one point seemed unlikely. His knock of 63 off 40 balls, featuring four boundaries and four sixes, was a testament to his ability to adapt and lead from the front.

What stood out most was his strike rate of 157.5 on a pitch that offered variable bounce. He read the conditions smartly, picked his moments to attack, and never allowed the pressure to overwhelm him. Even as wickets fell around him, Patidar remained composed, anchoring the innings and keeping RCB in the contest.

Here’s the video:

Counter-attacking at its best 🔥

🎥 Rajat Patidar leads the charge with a fighting 5️⃣0️⃣ under immense pressure 👏

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/X76bJjmq1j#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #RRvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/8gwVVhkpiI

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2026

His dismissal in the 18th over, when he was caught off Sandeep Sharma, marked the end of a truly impactful innings – one that had already shifted the momentum back in RCB’s favour.

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Venkatesh Iyer’s late surge takes RCB over 200

While Patidar laid the foundation, the finishing touches came from the lower order, ensuring that RCB didn’t just recover but finished strongly. Impact substitute Venkatesh Iyer played a crucial role in the final overs, bringing much-needed energy to the innings.

Iyer’s quickfire 29 off just 15 balls injected momentum at exactly the right time. His aggressive intent complemented Patidar’s stability, and together they stitched a vital partnership that changed the complexion of the innings. The duo added 76 runs in the last five overs, a phase where RCB completely dominated.

Adding to the late flourish was Romario Shepherd, who chipped in with a handy 22 off 11 balls. His cameo ensured that RCB maintained the scoring rate even after Patidar’s departure.

From being in a precarious position at 125 for 7, RCB managed to surge past the 200-run mark, finishing at an impressive 201 for 8.

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