Patidar boost for RCB as players hit the ground running

RCB captain Rajat Patidar gestures throughout a apply session in Bengaluru forward of Saturday’s IPL match in opposition to KKR.
| Photo Credit: Ok. BHAGYA PRAKASH

In an enormous boost, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had its captain Rajat Patidar again in coaching forward of Saturday’s dwelling Indian Premier League sport in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium right here on Thursday. RCB has one foot in the playoffs and might affirm that berth with a win over KKR.

Patidar, who had injured his hand in the match in opposition to Chennai Super Kings on May 3, began gingerly, going by a few health routines earlier than going through some innocent throwdowns, all the whereas sporting just a few strappings on his proper ring finger.

The 31-year-old then moved to the predominant nets absolutely padded up, and tried many an enormous hit. He managed to ship a handful of balls hovering into the stands, however didn’t center every thing and missed many.

But the RCB thinktank led by Mo Bobat, Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower, which was in full attendance for the session, wouldn’t thoughts, for the key was to see the skipper again in motion forward of IPL’s restart.

Rajat Patidar goes for an enormous hit throughout the coaching session in Bengaluru on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
Ok. BHAGYA PRAKASH

Earlier, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli began the night in earnest style, clubbing a number of balls into the stands. Mayank Agarwal, who is anticipated to fit in for the injured Devdutt Padikkal, additionally noticed batting time, together with bespoke fielding drills.

Kohli, who introduced his retirement from red-ball cricket on Monday, additionally exchanged just a few pleasantries together with his former Test teammate and present KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane.

On Thursday morning, the membership confirmed that almost all members of its international contingent, together with Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone and Lungi Ngidi, have been again in the metropolis. 

But the subject for RCB is that, owing to worldwide commitments, not all of those prime players will likely be up for choice if the outfit goes all the method as much as the IPL ultimate on June 3. 

There continues to be no readability on star pacer Josh Hazlewood’s availability for the remainder of the match. Hazlewood missed the CSK tie with a shoulder niggle however has since been named in Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship ultimate in opposition to South Africa from June 11.