IPL 2025: Patidar opens up on importance of finishing in top two of points table

In the IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished the group stage matches in the second spot.

Speaking about finishing in the top two sports, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar said, “It was very important for us to be in the top two. That`s what we had planned for, and having achieved that, it is a big boost for RCB. We have less time before our next match, so we will look to recover quickly and take a nap while travelling. Everyone is in a good frame of mind and recovering well from the last game in Lucknow”.

During their last group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, Bengaluru`s stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma played an unbeaten knock of 85 runs. Riding on his knock, the side was able to seal a spot in Qualifier 1.

They will now lock horns against Punjab Kings on May 29 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of their clash against the Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS, RCB`s premier pacer Josh Hazlewood stated that oppositions have played quite a few matches and know the conditions well.

“Yes, it`s important to be in the two. I think in this format, it helps to have two bites of the cherry. Someone goes off, and they win the game, and all of a sudden, you are out, after so long at the top. (Punjab Kings) is a tough opposition, and we are playing at their home ground where they have played quite a number of games this season. So, they`ll know the conditions well,” Josh Hazlewood said.

The pacer will likely make his appearance in the match against Punjab. Previously, he was in rehabilitation in Australia as the speedster had sustained a shoulder niggle. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Blessing Muzarabani.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day