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'All credit goes to both...': Not Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, RCB captain Rajat Patidar lauds this duo after registering seven-wicket win against KKR

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets in the Indian Premier League 2025 opener clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Sports Tak

• Sat • 22 Mar 2025

Rajat Patidar of Royal Challengers Bengaluru plays a shot during the 2025 IPL match between Kolkata the Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Highlights:

RCB defeated KKR by seven wickets in IPL 2025 opener clash.

Krunal Pandya was awarded Player of the Match for RCB vs KKR IPL 2025 clash.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar lavished praise on spin duo of Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya after the team's seven-wicket win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opener clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Patidar revealed that he backed Suyash as the spinner initially conceded runs during his first three overs and the spinner picked Andre Russell's wicket in his fourth over. Patidar gives credit to Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma for team's win against KKR.

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Krunal Pandya was awarded Player of the Match as he picked three wickets against KKR. Krunal's first wicket was KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and that was the game-changing moment for the RCB. Before getting out, Rahane played a 56-run knock and managed a 103-run stand for the second wicket with Sunil Narine (44, 26b). Apart from Rahane, Krunal picked Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer's wicket in his four-over spell.

"There was pressure, but it was a good day for me. If we keep winning like this, it will be a good day. It was pretty clear for me - I don't mind Suyash giving runs, he was our main wicket-taking bowler, so I backed him. (on Krunal and Suyash) All credit goes to both the bowlers, from 13 overs, they showed courage and determination. The mindset of taking wickets was really amazing" said Patidar in a post-match conference.

Patidar also lavished praise on Virat Kohli saying that playing alongside the batting great is a great opportunity for him to learn things.

"It's really great when you have a player like him, it's a great opportunity for me to learn from one of the great players of the game. (on his shot off Harshit over backward point) That was pre-determined shot, I was going over covers, the ball nipped back and it went automatically" added Patidar.

Kohli (59 not out, 36b, 4x4, 3x6) and Salt (56, 31b, 9x4, 2x6) added 95 runs for the first wicket in 8.3 overs as RCB chased down 174/8 in just 16.2 overs. They made 177 for three.