Kulwant Khejroliya endured one of the costliest overs in Indian Premier League playoffs history as Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned the match around in the 15th over against Gujarat Titans during Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on Tuesday. Khejroliya conceded 28 runs in the over, making it the second most expensive over in IPL playoffs history after Parvinder Awana's 33-run over for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings in 2014. The over included two no-balls, a wide, a misfield, and three boundaries from Rajat Patidar.
The over started quietly with singles from Krunal Pandya and Patidar. Things changed quickly after Krunal hit a high full toss for four behind square. Royal Challengers Bangalore reviewed the delivery for height, and it was called a no-ball, giving them a free hit. The next ball was wide outside off, and another boundary followed when Nishant Sindhu failed to stop a shot at deep point.
Khejroliya then overstepped again while Krunal squeezed out a single, handing Patidar another free hit. Patidar took full advantage. He first lofted a near-yorker over mid-off for four, then used a slower ball to flick a six over long leg. On the final ball, he cleared his front leg and hit another boundary over mid-on to finish the over with 28 runs. That over completely changed the momentum of the innings as Royal Challengers Bangalore finished with 254 for 5.
Patidar remained unbeaten on 93 off 33 balls, hitting nine sixes and five fours after surviving two dropped catches. Royal Challengers Bangalore scored 86 runs in the last five overs and 114 in the final six overs.
The innings had started quickly with Venkatesh Iyer attacking Mohammed Siraj early before falling to Kagiso Rabada for 19. Rabada also tested Virat Kohli with pace and bounce, but Kohli still made 43. Along with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 30, Kohli helped Royal Challengers Bangalore reach 76 for 1 in the powerplay.
Gujarat Titans fought back in the middle overs through tight bowling from Rashid Khan and wickets from Jason Holder, who removed Kohli and Padikkal in the space of three balls. However, the game changed after Patidar was dropped twice by Gujarat Titans off Prasidh Krishna. Patidar and Krunal then added 95 runs together before Rabada dismissed Krunal for 43. Patidar continued attacking till the end and guided Royal Challengers Bangalore to one of the highest totals in Indian Premier League playoff history.
