Rajat Patidar Scored one of the best innings of his IPL career in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans. The RCB skipper scored a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls, taking his side to 254/5 – the highest total in IPL playoff history. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Patidar was showered with praise after the innings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered their second consecutive IPL final after defeating Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala. Patidar was undoubtedly the star of the night, finishing the GT bowling attack with a breathtaking innings full of fearless strokeplay.The RCB skipper hit nine sixes and five fours at an astonishing strike rate of 281.82. One of the highlights of his innings came when he conceded 28 runs in an over by Kulant Khajrulia.However, the standout moment came in the 17th over against the odds Kagiso Rabada.. After his 21-ball half-century, Patidar hit a brilliant backfoot six on a fast ball outside the off-stump. Instead of defending, he stayed deep in the crease, opened his arms, and launched the ball over the cover boundary with incredible power and timing.Ashwin called it the “shot of the day” and even suggested it could be the “shot of the tournament”.
After this performance, who do you think should be the top captain of IPL?
“That six on the back foot by Rajat off Kagiso Rabada, that was straight up shot of the day, probably a contender for the shot of the tournament. How did he manage to generate so much power from there,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer Maybe the captaincy and batting talks were a bit ahead, but after tonight, Patidar is there,” added Ashwin.“We all know how good Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled the pace today was also impressive. And those sixes he hit Rashid Khan… I’ve seen very few batsmen who can get on the front foot, reach the pitch of the ball, and still get Rashid high over extra cover for a six like that.” Pure, the man comes to class.
