In a jaw-dropping exhibition of explosive batting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar left the entire cricketing fraternity awestruck during Qualifier 1 of the ongoing Indian Premier League. Dismantling the Gujarat Titans bowling lineup at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Patidar hammered a monumental, unbeaten 93 runs off just 33 deliveries. His high-octane knock operated at a staggering strike rate of 281.82, propelling the defending champions to a massive total of 254/5—the highest score ever recorded in the history of the IPL playoffs. The incredible masterclass paved the way for a resounding 92-run victory, securing their spot in the grand finale.
Among the millions captivated by his ruthless hitting was veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Speaking about the game-changing performance, Ashwin could not hold back his amazement, singling out one jaw-dropping stroke against an elite overseas fast bowler as a modern-day masterpiece that completely defied the laws of traditional batsmanship.
The Rabada Unleashed: Analyzing the Shot of the Tournament
The iconic moment unfolded in the 17th over of the first innings, just after Patidar had brought up a blistering 21-ball half-century. Facing a high-paced, short-of-a-length delivery outside the off-stump from South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, the RCB skipper deep-sited himself into the crease. Instead of a defensive block or a standard slice, Patidar opened his arms and generated unimaginable power from his back foot, launching the ball directly over the extra-cover boundary for a massive six.
Reviewing the game on his digital channel, Ashwin openly declared it as the definitive “shot of the day” and a prime contender for the best shot of the entire tournament. He emphasized how incredibly difficult it is for any modern batter to manufacture that level of raw muscle power and immaculate timing while staying so deep inside the box against express pace. Ashwin also pointed out Patidar’s elite footwork against world-class spin, highlighting how effortlessly he stepped out to loft Rashid Khan over the off-side with sheer elegance.
Pushing for an Indian National Team Recall Amid Captaincy Dominance
Patidar’s unreal playoff legacy continues to grow rapidly. Over his six career playoff appearances, the 32-year-old middle-order dynamo has amassed 338 runs at a mind-boggling average of 112.66 and a scoring rate exceeding 193. His relentless consistency in pressure cooker situations has now sparked an intense debate regarding his return to the national T20I setup.
According to Ashwin, Patidar’s incredible leadership and unmatched tactical form have pushed him right alongside and perhaps ahead of other prominent national contenders like Shreyas Iyer. The veteran spinner strongly argued that if a leader normalizes pressure, anchors a historic title defense, and produces generational batting masterpieces back-to-back, it is a massive disservice to the sport if he isn’t handed a national recall immediately. With the team firing on all cylinders under his guidance, Patidar has firmly established himself as the ultimate big-match player of modern domestic cricket.
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