Historic Feat! RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar Shatters Sachin Tendulkar’s IPL Record
In a thrilling, rain-curtailed clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Punjab Kings (PBKS) clinched a commanding five-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in New Delhi. Despite the loss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar etched his name into the history books, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar with a jaw-dropping record.
The match, delayed due to evening showers, was reduced to 14 overs per side, adding an extra layer of intensity to the contest. Batting first, RCB struggled against a fiery PBKS bowling attack, managing 95 for nine in their allotted overs. Tim David emerged as the standout performer for RCB with a blistering 50 off 26 balls, a counter-attacking knock that kept his team in the game. However, Punjab’s disciplined bowling unit, led by their spinners, ensured the target remained within reach.
In reply, PBKS chased down the total with ease in just 12.1 overs, thanks to a quickfire 33 off 19 balls by opener Nehal Wadhera. RCB’s ace pacer Josh Hazlewood fought valiantly, returning figures of 3/14 in his spell, but it wasn’t enough to stem the Punjab tide. This win propelled Punjab Kings to the second spot on the points table with 10 points from seven matches, boasting an impressive record of five wins. Meanwhile, RCB slipped to fourth place with four wins and three losses in the same number of games.
Amidst the disappointment of the defeat, RCB fans had a monumental reason to celebrate as their captain, Rajat Patidar, achieved a historic milestone. Patidar became the second-fastest Indian batter to reach 1000 runs in IPL history, doing so in just 30 innings. He trails only Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan, who accomplished the feat in a remarkable 25 innings. In surpassing stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar and Ruturaj Gaikwad (both 31 innings), as well as Tilak Varma (33 innings), Patidar has signaled his arrival as a dominant force in T20 cricket.
Adding to the awe, Patidar also became the first Indian batter in IPL history to reach 1000 runs with an average above 35 and a strike rate exceeding 150. This rare combination of consistency and aggression highlights his unique ability to anchor innings while maintaining an explosive approach, making him a vital cog in RCB’s batting lineup.
As the IPL 2023 season heats up, Patidar’s record-breaking run serves as a beacon of hope for RCB, who will look to bounce back from this setback. The two teams are set to lock horns again in a highly anticipated reverse fixture on Sunday at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium, where RCB will aim for redemption and PBKS will seek to consolidate their dominance.
With Patidar in scintillating form and Punjab Kings riding high on momentum, fans are in for another blockbuster encounter. Will RCB’s captain continue his record-breaking spree, or will PBKS tighten their grip on the top spots? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—cricket fever is at its peak!