Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar reckons losing three early wickets in the Powerplay overs was the turning point after they suffered an eight-wicket loss against Gujarat Titans at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.

After RCB were put into bat by Shubman Gill, they were reduced to 35-3 after 4.4 overs despite Phil Salt receiving a second life as Jos Buttler dropped an easy catch. 

Mohammed Siraj accounted for Phil Salt and Devdutt Padikkal whereas Arshad Khan dismissed Virat Kohli. After the fielding restrictions were lifted, Rajat Patidar was plumbed in front by Ishant Sharma to leave RCB reeling at 42-4.

Liam Livingstone, who also had the rub of the green as he was dropped by Rahul Tewatia and also survived a stumping chance, scored 54 runs off 40 balls but RCB could only post a below-par score of 169 runs on the board.

Former RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers for GT, returning with impressive figures of 3-19 in his quota of four overs whereas Sai Kishore bagged 2-22 in his four overs.

Rajat Patidar said in the post-match presentation, “Not 200, we were targeting around 190 after the powerplay, but losing early wickets harmed this match. I think the intent was good, but we shouldn’t have lost as many as 3 wickets in the PP, it was one wicket too many.”

He added, “The conditions did get better, the bowlers were amazing trying to defend this total, to take this chase into the 18th over was amazing to watch. The way Jitesh, Liam Livingstone, and Tim David, the way they batted, it was a positive for us. We’re confident about the batting line-up, they’re showing some positive intent which is very good for us.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.