Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said he wanted Suyash Sharma to attack the stumps during the first qualifier against Punjab Kings at New Chandigarh in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Thursday. RCB registered a convincing eight-wicket win to qualify for their fourth IPL final.

After the early damage was done by the RCB fast bowlers to reduce PBKS at 50-5, Sharma added salt to injury with his pinpoint bowling. The leg-spinner bowled Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis with a wrong one whereas he plumbed impact player Musheer Khan in front of the wickets for a duck.

Sharma returned with impressive figures of 3-17 in the three overs he bowled and played an instrumental role in skittling out PBKS at 101.

Rajat Patidar said in the post-match presentation while talking to the official broadcasters, “The way Suyash chipped in, the way he bowled his lines and lengths, that was really good. As a captain I am clear about his bowling. He has to target the stumps, that’s his strength. His wrong ‘un is difficult to read for the batters. I always want to give him clear ideas, I don’t want to confuse him. I am okay if he concedes a few runs in the process.”

Patidar also showered praise on Phil Salt, who scored a match-winning knock of 56 runs off just 27 balls in the run-chase of 102.

Patidar added, “The way Salt is batting in most of the matches. The way he is giving starts, I am a big fan of him. It’s a treat to watch him from the dugout. That’s really good.”

Giving his gratitude to the RCB fans, Patidar said, “I always thank RCB fans, not only in Chinnaswamy, but wherever we go we feel it’s our home ground. We love you, so keep supporting us. One more game and let’s celebrate together.”

RCB will play in their fourth IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Tuesday.