RCB produced a dominant all-round performance at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday, posting a massive 222\/4 before restricting Punjab Kings to 199\/8 despite a late fightback from Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jitesh, who led the side in the absence of regular captain Rajat Patidar, said the team always felt in control because they had a clear idea of how the pitch was behaving after batting first. \u201cWe were not under pressure, frankly speaking. We were in control. We know what we want to do on this wicket because we batted on that, and the batters had given very good feedback on what was working on that wicket,\u201d Jitesh said after the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RCB\u2019s batting unit laid the foundation for the victory through Virat Kohli\u2019s 58, Devdutt Padikkal\u2019s quickfire 45, and an unbeaten 73 from Venkatesh Iyer. The side accelerated strongly in the second half of the innings to cross the 220-run mark.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jitesh explained that the team used the information from the first innings to plan specifically against Punjab Kings\u2019 key batters and execute accordingly with the ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo we planned particularly for particular batsmen, and we were executing that properly,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jitesh also credited the experienced players in the RCB squad for supporting him during his captaincy stint and said it had been a valuable learning experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are privileged that they are playing for RCB, and with that, I have so many senior players to guide me in the centre when I\u2019m doing captaincy for those bowlers. I think that\u2019s great. It\u2019s a great experience to play with those boys,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The wicketkeeper-batter confirmed that Rajat Patidar is expected to return as captain for the next game, while reiterating that RCB\u2019s focus remains on taking one match at a time despite sealing a playoff berth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy actual skipper is doing really well. He\u2019s going to captain the next game. I think our RCB motto is very simple, one game at a time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are not thinking ahead or anything. We just want to play our best cricket in every match, that\u2019s it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy actual skipper is doing really well. He\u2019s going to captain the next game. I think our RCB motto is very simple, one game at a time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although Shashank Singh smashed a rapid 56 off 27 deliveries and Marcus Stoinis contributed 37 off 25 balls, RCB\u2019s bowlers held their nerve in the closing stages. Rasikh finished with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood delivered crucial breakthroughs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n