Virat Kohli’s reaction from the dugout became one of the talking points of the night after Rajat Patidar played a stunning six during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Qualifier One clash against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League at Dharamsala on Tuesday.Patidar reached his fifty in 21 balls with a six off Kagiso Rabada in the 17th over. On the very next ball, he produced one of the shots of the innings. Rabada bowled on a good length outside off, but Patidar stayed back and struck it over cover for another six. Kohli, watching from the dugout, looked surprised by the quality of the shot, and his reaction quickly went viral.RCB captain Patidar remained unbeaten on 93 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and nine sixes as RCB posted 254/5. He also took 28 runs from an over bowled by left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya.Kohli and Krunal Pandya added 43 runs each.Patidar changed the game with his knock after surviving two dropped catches. RCB scored 114 runs in the last six overs.The innings started quickly with Venkatesh Iyer attacking Mohammed Siraj with three early boundaries. He made 19 before Rabada dismissed him after being hit for a six.Rabada also troubled Kohli with pace and bounce, but the former RCB captain still scored a quick 43. Along with Devdutt Padikkal, who made 30, Kohli helped RCB reach 76/1 in the powerplay.GT fought back during the middle overs through disciplined bowling. Rashid Khan kept things tight, while Jason Holder removed Kohli and Padikkal in the space of three deliveries.Kulwant also bowled well initially before the match shifted in the 14th over. Patidar, batting on 18 and then 20, was dropped twice off Prasidh Krishna. Soon after, GT’s fielding slipped as Kulwant conceded 28 runs in an over that included misfields, two no-balls and a wide.Patidar took full advantage, attacking both Kulwant and Rashid, while Krunal supported him in a 95-run partnership. Krunal scored 43 before Rabada broke the stand, but by then RCB had already taken control.Patidar continued attacking till the end and helped the defending champions finish with the highest totals in IPL playoff history.
