Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu was all praise for Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar for his fearless batting approach and leading from the front in the ongoing season. Patidar has looked like a man on a mission to set the tone for his team in the middle with the approach of hitting big shots from the word go. He is not messing around, taking any time to get settled and smashing the opposition bowlers right from the first ball, be it spinner or pacer.
Rajat Patidar has been leading from the front for RCB this season. (PTI)
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He has smashed 222 runs in five matches at a staggering strike rate of 213.46, which has given his team a big boost in the middle overs, where other teams usually tend to slow down.
The defending champions have started their campaign in an emphatic fashion, with four wins in five matches, dominating home matches where they used to struggle in previous seasons.
Rayudu hailed the aggressive shift in approach from Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season, crediting skipper Patidar for setting the tone with fearless intent. He noted how the captain’s mindset is influencing the entire batting unit.
"They are going after every ball. The captain is doing that so the team is following that tempo and that template. Whenever you see Patidar walk in, he comes with a lot of intent. It is rubbing off on his non-striker as well as the batters who are following. It is refreshing to see RCB play that way," Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo.
Meanwhile, RCB registered a clinical win over Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday night, outclassing them in every department by assessing the conditions better. The bowlers did their job by bowling out LSG for 146 while the batters chased it down in just 15.1 overs.
Rayudu raves about RCB batters
Rayudu was impressed by the way RCB batters approached their chase on a slow surface, lauding them for hitting sixes on good deliveries rather than waiting for loose ones.
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"Playing on a slow wicket, they adapted way better than the way Lucknow's batters did. It was a slow wicket, they had to adjust their shots and their bat swing but they played some fantastic shots. Generally, we have seen a lot of sixes against loose balls, but this batting line-up has been hitting sixes against really good deliveries. That's a great sign," he added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Ambati Rayudu blown away by Rajat Patidar’s fearless template as RCB go all guns blazing: ‘Refreshing to see them play’
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