Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s attacking batting approach after the defending champions secured a comprehensive 92-run win against Gujarat Titans at Dharamshala on Tuesday.

Pathan reckons Venkatesh Iyer’s little cameo of 7-ball 19 set the tone for RCB. Iyer smashed Mohammed Siraj for two boundaries on the first two balls and then smashed a six against Kagiso Rabada. The left-hander scored three fours and one six to give a quick head start to his team.

Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Venkatesh Iyer hit a lap shot for 6 off Rabada. When you do that, GT suddenly realized that something is happening (wrong). No one has the guts to hit such a shot in Ahmedabad.

Pathan noted that after Iyer’s dismissal, his opening partner Virat Kohli was able to carry on in an aggressive manner. Kohli scored a crucial knock of 43 runs off 25 balls.

“Once Venkatesh got out, Virat hit in the air for a boundary off the next ball. The plan was clear. Virat Kohli’s innings, 43 off 25, created a big impact. Don’t forget that innings. There was smartness and attacking [approach].”

On the other hand, 2007 T20 World Cup final hero questioned Shubman Gill’s captaincy. Pathan said Gill should have backed Rashid Khan a bit earlier against Rajat Patidar.

“Shubman Gill didn’t persist with Rashid Khan. Rajat got out to spinners 4/4 in his last game. He would’ve backed him.”

Patidar was given two lives by GT fielders. Kulwant Khejroliya dropped a tough chance when the RCB captain was on 14 whereas Kagiso Rabada dropped a simple catch when the batter was on 20.

“When you drop two catches of a player like Rajat Patidar, it will put you in trouble. When they dropped catches, they couldn’t stop them at 220. They had to change the template with the bat. Once they changed the template, they were too behind.”