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SPORTS JUNE 03, 2022 | The Indian Eye 40

IPL SEASON 2022

Rajat, Umran and Shubman: How the

new generation is shaping T20s in India

As the IPL season reaches its final stage, we bring to you all the action on and off the field

OUR BUREAU
the Eliminator clash of the ongoing
Mumbai/Kolkata IPL 2022 against Royal Challengers
F ollowing Rajat Patidar’s Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He reached
Bangalore on Wednesday here at
hundred
match-winning
this unique batting milestone during
against Lucknow Super Giants
in the Elmininator, Royal Challeng- his 58-ball 79-run inning against Faf
du Plessis-led team. The right-hand-
ers Bangalore (RCB) star Virat Kohli ed opening batter has scored 661 runs
said on Wednesday that what the in 15 matches of the IPL 2022 season.
young batter did is very special and Before this year’s edition, the top-or-
one should understand the excellence der batter had scored 626 runs in 13
of his knock. matches of the 2021 edition, 670 runs
RCB defeated LSG by 14 runs
in the Eliminator clash of IPL 2022 in 14 matches of the 2020 season and
659 runs in the 2018 edition of the
here at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on cash-rich league.
Wednesday. While talking to Patidar West Indies batting legend Chris
about his innings in this must-win Gayle and Australian opener David
match of playoffs. Warner have scored more than 600
“I have seen many great innings
but I haven’t seen many innings better runs in the IPL in three different sea-
sons and are now second on the list.
than the one Rajat played today. He Gayle crossed the 600-run mark
was under pressure in this big match in three consecutive years (2011, 2012,
and he is the first uncapped player in 2013) while he was part of the Royal
the history of IPL to score a ton in Challengers Bangalore franchise. On
playoffs. What he did was very special the other hand, David Warner also
and I don’t think that anyone should achieved the milestone in three con-
take it for granted, one should un- secutive seasons from 2016 to 2019 as
derstand the excellence of his innings the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain.
and appreciate it as a cricketer,” said
Virat in a video posted by IPL. HARDIK PANDYA’S GOOD FORM
Patidar got the fastest century by POSITIVE FOR INDIA
an uncapped player in the history of
the tournament. He hit his ton in 49 Royal Challengers Bangalore Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar during the Eliminator match (ANI) ormer India cricketer Moham-
balls and finished the innings with a mad Kaif believes Hardik Pan-
score of 112 off 54 balls. rion Rajat Patidar said that he never mega auction, later he was picked Fdya’s sublime form with the bat
“There was no such pressure on felt any kind of pressure while playing as an injury replacement, but the and ball in the IPL 2022 bodes well
me when I came out of the dugout to his game. 28-year-old never cared about things not just for Gujarat Titans’ skipper
bat because I have confidence in me Patidar got the fastest century by that were not really in his control. “I but also for Team India.
that if I play good shots and build a an uncapped player in the history of was busy after the 2021 IPL playing In his debut season as IPL cap-
partnership where I will help my team the tournament. He hit his ton in 49 for my club. I wasn’t picked after the tain, Hardik has led debutants Gu-
to make a good score. I have faith in balls and finished the innings with a 2021 IPL but that wasn’t in my con- jarat Titans from the front and Kaif
me that if I just hang in there then I score of 112 off 54 balls. trol,” he added. believes his good form will also auger
can cover up dot balls any time and “The wicket was pretty good and KL RAHUL BECOMES FIRST well for Team India in the upcoming
score good,” said Patidar in the video. I played some good shots. I never five-match T20I series against South
RAJAT PATIDAR REVEALS HIS feel any pressure as I think I have the PLAYER TO SCORE 600-PLUS Africa from June 9 onwards. The Men
in Blue extended their winning run in
ability to make up for the dots,” said
STRATEGY AGAINST LSG IN Patidar in a post-match presentation. RUNS IN 4 IPL SEASONS T20Is to 12 against Sri Lanka earlier
ELIMINATOR “When I time the ball, my focus ucknow Super Giants skipper this year. They are now gearing up for
was on it. In the last over of the pow- KL Rahul became the first-ev- an important moment in this journey
fter guiding his team to Qual- erplay when Krunal was bowling to Ler player in the history of In- and achieve all-time greatness to their
ifiers 2 of Indian Premier me, my execution went fine then and dian Premier League (IPL) to score name.
ALeague 2022 on Wednesday, I got confident afterward,” he added. 600-plus runs in four IPL seasons.
Royals Challengers Bangalore centu- Patidar was ignored at this year’s Rahul achieved this feat during Continued at next page... >>

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