Virat Kohli creates energy for everyone on the field: Rajat Patidar

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sealed their qualification for the 2024 IPL Playoffs by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18. Batting first, RCB scored 218 runs and Chennai managed to score 191 runs in their stipulated overs as their title-defence bid ended with a group-stage exit, with both teams at 14 points, but RCB with a superior NRR.

Rajat Patidar (41 runs) spoke to JioCinema on Match Centre Live about Virat Kohli’s energy, their belief after a slow start to the season, his performance, and the role of the senior players in the team.

“He (Virat Kohli) creates energy for everyone on the field, regardless of the situation. He maintains a great atmosphere and every player looks at him and learns more.”

Patidar on RCB's belief that they could overcome a slow start to the season

“We believed that we could change the points table. It has happened before and RCB have done it in the past. We had examples and experienced players around us, so it was a great environment. Everyone believed we could change this.”

On his performance and the support from the senior RCB players, Patidar said - “My role was clear and all I wanted to do was execute it correctly. Our team has many experienced players such as DK, Virat, Faf, and Green. The things I have gotten a chance to learn from them have helped me a lot.”

Meanwhile, RCB pacer Lockie Ferguson was also delighted with the win. The pacer bowled a crucial penultimate over and interacting on air about the experience, he said, “Unbelievable, not sure how to put in words, complete team effort, wasn't easy to bowl at the end, it was very wet. Yash, to get rid of MS and get the job done, it was amazing. It's the nature of bowling here, mix it up and keep the batters guessing. There's a bit of spin as well, and we needed to keep the batters guessing. In the end, we got the job done. If I could rewind time (on asking why he didn't bowl a yorker in the 19th over), but the wicket was doing a bit when bowled on a length. We know how good Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) is with the yorker ball, but perhaps we could have tried to. Thankful to Yash for getting the job done.”