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Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), acknowledged that Mitchell Marsh's explosive century during the power play significantly pressured his team. RCB faced a close nine-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match on Thursday night. Marsh was awarded Player of the Match for his remarkable 111 runs off just 56 balls, which included 18 boundaries, propelling LSG to a formidable total.

Patidar Commends Bowlers for Regaining Control

During the post-match press conference, Patidar praised Marsh's innings and credited his bowlers for regaining control after the initial onslaught. He stated, "Mitchell Marsh played exceptionally well on this wicket, which was conducive to batting. His performance in the Powerplay certainly put us under pressure."

"Our bowlers managed to regain control after the rain break, which allowed us some time to strategize. Overall, I am pleased with how we finished the game and the way we bowled," he added.

Close Call for RCB

Reflecting on the narrow defeat, Patidar noted that his team fell just short in their chase. "We were merely two strokes away from winning, losing by nine runs. I believe we lost because we were just two strokes behind," he remarked.

Praise for Padikkal's Form

Patidar also expressed admiration for teammate Devdutt Padikkal's current form, revealing that he has been learning from Padikkal's approach during training. "Devdutt is batting exceptionally well. In our net sessions, I observe how he maintains a clear mindset, which is something I am learning from," he said.

"His shot selection is commendable, and I am taking notes from that. Padikkal is in a great frame of mind right now," he added.

Focus on Aggressive Play

Patidar emphasized that RCB is not approaching this season with a defensive mindset as defending champions. "We are not playing this season as if we are defending a title. We have a chance to become champions again, and we are focused on playing aggressively," he stated.

"Our goal is to maintain an attacking approach. This is a new season, and we aim to stay present and give our best for the team," the RCB captain concluded.

Match Summary

In the match, Marsh's outstanding 111 runs off 56 balls, featuring nine fours and nine sixes, helped LSG reach 209/3 in 19 overs, following interruptions due to rain. A partnership of 95 runs between Devdutt Padikkal (34 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and a six) and Rajat Patidar (61 runs off 31 balls, with three fours and six sixes) allowed RCB to recover after losing two early wickets. Contributions from Tim David (40 runs off 17 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), Krunal Pandya (28* runs off 16 balls, with two fours and two sixes), and Romario Shepherd (23* runs off 15 balls, with three fours and a six) kept RCB competitive, but they ultimately fell short by nine runs.

With this victory, LSG has achieved its third win of the season, although they remain at the bottom of the table with seven losses. RCB has dropped to third place after suffering their fourth defeat in the competition.