IPL 2025 | Credit goes to the bowlers, Dev and Kohli: Rajat Patidar

After winning the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar hailed Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli for their match-winning knocks.

The skipper also praised the bowling unit for helping them restrict Punjab to 157 runs for the loss of six wickets.

“Credit goes to the bowlers. Dev and Kohli, the way they executed their plans. The bowlers chipped in at different stages, the way they executed their plans, it was beautiful,” Patidar said in the post-match presentation.

In the run chase, Padikkal played a knock of 61 runs, followed by stalwart Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten 73 runs. The duo milked 103 runs for the second wicket, helping the side to register a comfortable win by seven wickets.

Rajat Patidar also opened up about the message he had for his bowlers.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Virat Kohli dedicates `POTM` award to Padikkal

“Had to bowl tight lines as the wicket was a little slow. That was the message to all the bowlers. We had a chat last night about our fielding. Everyone put in their efforts, and that was beautiful,” said the 31-year-old.

On Sunday, RCB stamped its authority in Mullanpur with an all-around display against the high-flying Punjab Kings. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the Royal Challengers began their master plan to bring down Punjab.

Despite a blistering start in the powerplay, RCB made inroads by orchestrating a web of traps in the middle overs. Punjab batters got tangled in it and tilted at the windmills while trying to fight their way to a competitive total.

Marco Jansen and Shashank Singh tried to unleash a fusillade of boundaries towards the end, but Bengaluru`s quality spell ensured the blitzkrieg never arrived and kept them silent as Punjab succumbed to a paltry 157/6.

The spin duo of Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya rattled Punjab`s explosive batting unit by picking a brace each. Apart from Romario Shepherd, the rest of the pace express failed to scythe wickets but ensured not to leak runs heavily.

The RCB skipper outlined the blueprint behind their stellar show with the ball and revealed the message to the bowling unit was to keep the lines “tight” due to the slow-paced nature of the wicket.

RCB has lost three IPL 2025 matches at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Speaking about the upcoming match at the home venue, the RCB skipper said that he wants to win the toss there.

“I want to win a toss there (Chinnaswamy). We will try to play good cricket at our home ground, we will try to rectify our mistakes there,” he concluded.

(With ANI Inputs)