March 29, 2025: Rajat Patidar’s impressive knock of 51 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk has added a significant achievement to his career. By reaching the 50-run mark, he joined Virat Kohli in the exclusive list of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captains to score 50-plus in Chennai.
Kohli had achieved this milestone in 2013, and now Patidar has joined the ranks. This performance also marks Patidar’s successful comeback after a series of injuries sidelined him in the 2023 season. His rise to prominence started with his stellar performance in the 2022 IPL Eliminator, where he became the first uncapped player to score a century in an IPL playoff.
The match saw RCB put up a competitive total, thanks to contributions from players like Phil Salt, who got them off to a good start, and Patidar, who anchored the innings with his half-century. However, RCB also had a few setbacks, including the early dismissal of Devdutt Padikkal for 27. CSK’s bowlers, led by Noor Ahmad (3/36) and Pathirana (2 wickets), managed to keep the RCB total in check.
The teams competing in this match showcased a mix of experienced players like MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, along with the emerging talent in the form of Noor Ahmad and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain. Meanwhile, Patidar’s leadership of RCB continues to show promise for the 2024 IPL season as he steps into his role as the captain ahead of IPL 2025.