IPL: RCB crush PBKS to reach finals

“Fast bowlers used the surface well, Suyash chipped in well. He bowls in line of the stumps, which is his strength. I don't give him a lot of ideas, don't want to confuse him,” said Patidar after leading the team to fourth IPL.

Hyderabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said they were very clear in their plans and how to bowl against Punjab Kings in the Qualifier 1 in which his team thrashed the opponent to make it to the IPL final on Thursday night.

“Fast bowlers used the surface well, Suyash chipped in well. He bowls in line of the stumps, which is his strength. I don’t give him a lot of ideas, don’t want to confuse him,” said Patidar after leading the team to fourth IPL.

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“We had done a lot of practice throughout the tournament. One day of non-practice won’t harm you. The way [Salt] is batting in every match, the way he is giving us starts, it is a treat,” he said.

“I am a big fan of him. Always thank RCB fans, wherever we go, we feel like it is our home ground. One more game, let’s celebrate together!”, Patidar said.

For his part RCB opener Phil Salt who scored a 27-ball unbeaten 56 in the team’s eight-wicket win, said it was a great feeling.

“ We had a second bite at the cherry tonight. It did move a bit. Don’t know how much that was because of the wicket,” he said.

“Not the worst wicket we have played on, put it that way. What came in my head was don’t get out to Arshdeep! Just react to the ball. I said before the game to Andy that it was a blessing in disguise,” Salt said.

“Sometimes you can think too much and overplay it. So play-travel-play was a blessing in disguise. Just gives us momentum. Cliche but true. Back end of the tournament you want to hit your straps. You can play a part with the bat or ball or strike rates through the middle,” he said.

Losing captain Shreyas Iyer said they lost the battle not the war.

“Not a day to forget, but we have to go to the drawing board. We were befuddled and lost a lot of wickets. Something to go back and study,” Shreyas said.

“Not doubting on my decisions in terms of planning. Outside of the ground, it was on point. Couldn’t execute, can’t blame our bowlers. It was such a low total,” he said.

“Got to work on our batting, on this wicket. In all games here, there has been variable bounce. Can’t give such reasons because we are professionals and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle but not the war,” Shreyas said.