Rajat Patidar - (Source: AFP)
On Friday, Sunrisers Hyderabad handed RCB a comfortable 55-run defeat. However, RCB were the happier team because they crossed the 167-run mark and now will face Gujarat Titans in qualifier 1 on May 26. Rajat Patidar was the pioneer in the run chase as he slammed a slow but important fifty.
RCB had one target in mind, which was to ensure a top 2 qualification. Hence, the defending champions were not playing to chase down 256. Therefore, Rajat Patidar played according to the situation and scored 56 (39), which featured six fours and a solitary six. Now, with that six, the RCB captain scripted a historic feat.
Rajat Patidar Becomes Fastest Indian To 100 IPL sixes
Notably, Rajat Patidar slammed his 100th IPL six. The 32-year-old achieved the feat in his 50th innings. With that, he became the fastest Indian to 100 IPL sixes. Overall, Rajat Patidar is 3rd on the list behind Chris Gayle and Andre Russell.
Fastest to 100 IPL Sixes in IPL (By Innings):
- 37 - Chris Gayle
- 47 - Andre Russell
- 50* - Rajat Patidar*
- 52 - Heinrich Klaasen
If we talk about another feat, then Patidar has also become the 3rd quickest IPL player to hit 50 sixes by the number of balls faced in the league.
Fewest balls to reach 100 sixes in IPL
- 657 - Andre Russell
- 884 - Nicholas Pooran
- 933 - Rajat Patidar*
- 943 - Chris Gayle
- 950 - Sunil Narine
Rajat Patidar Returns To Form After Concussion Blow
For the unversed, Rajat Patidar missed RCB's last IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings due to a heavy blow to his head in the previous match. Therefore, due to concussion, Patidar was unable to play the last match.
Also Read: Heinrich Klaasen Surpasses Rishabh Pant's IPL Feat With Carnage Vs RCB
When Patidar came to bat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, there were doubts whether he will be able to play a calm and composed knock, which was the need of that hour. However, he defied the critics and played a slow-but important knock for the team.
RCB Qualify For Qualifier 1 Under Rajat Patidar's Leadership
Talking about IPL 2026, as mentioned above, RCB will now face Gujarat Titans in qualifier 1 on May 26 at the Dharamshala Stadium. Notably, it is the second straight season that Royal Challengers Bengaluru have qualified for qualifier 1.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Leads SRH’s Huge IPL Record, Joins Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans
In IPL 2025, RCB faced Punjab Kings in qualifier 1 and then again in the final. Eventually, Patidar ended the trophy drought as he became the first RCB captain to guide the franchise from south to their maiden IPL title.
Now, Patidar has the chance to join the elite list of captains to guide their team to two consecutive IPL titles.
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