Rajat Patidar struck Royal Challengers Bangalore's first hundred of IPL 2022 - and his first in T20 cricket - in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Patidar reached the three-figure mark, his first in T20s, with a six off Mohsin Khan in the 18th over. Just a ball earlier, Patidar was put down by Manan Vohra at short third man.
Patidar was severe on Ravi Bishnoi, clobbering him for 26 in his last over with three sixes and two fours. He had also got a reprieve when Deepak Hooda dropped a simple chance at deep mid-wicket off Bishnoi's bowling. Patidar finished unbeaten on 112 off just 54 balls with seven sixes and 12 fours.
Earlier, Patidar also got stuck into Krunal Pandya in the last over of the PowerPlay, taking 19 off him with three fours and a six.
"The timing was good today," Patidar said after his innings. "I was just looking to place the ball. I was trying to time the ball because the wicket is good. It won't be easy to defend 207 but if we bowl well, we should be able to win."
Royal Challengers had roped in Patidar as a replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia for the remainder of IPL 2022.
Patidar, who represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, was part of the Royal Challengers set-up last year after being picked up at his base price of Rs 20 lakh in the auction. He played in four matches, where he scored 71 runs at an average of 17.75 and a strike rate of 114.52.
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