Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar showered praise on Mitchell Marsh after they suffered a nine-run (DLS) loss against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday. Marsh scored a magnum opus knock of 111 runs off just 56 balls with the help of nine fours and as many sixes. 

The big Australian scored his runs at a strike rate of 198.21 in his blistering knock to help LSG post 209-3 in 19 overs. RCB were given a DLS target of 213 in 19 overs after rain intervened.

Marsh added 95 runs off 56 balls with opening partner Arshin Kulkarni whereas he added 70 off 41 balls with Nicholas Pooran. Patidar admitted he wasn’t sure of which bowlers to back when Marsh was playing at the top of his game.

Rajat Patidar said in the post-match presentation, “Mitchell Marsh was beautiful, the way he played. And especially in the powerplay, he kept us under pressure. I was confused about the bowlers – who should I bowl to Mitchell Marsh just after the powerplay. But I think the way he played, I think that was a tremendous inning.”

Patidar said he was happy with the batting effort and they were one or two shots away from getting over the line.

He added, “We were pretty sure how to go about the target. Boys played well and the way we stretched this game, just one or two shots behind. It was really good batting track. Was coming nicely on the bat. Difficult to analyse just after the game, need some time to analyse it. We have four games more, just taking one game at a time, one step at a time.”

He concluded, “The way we played, that was really good intent showed by all batsmen. Everyone is looking confident and in a great space of mind.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Mumbai Indians at Raipur on Sunday.