Captain Rajat Patidar, who created history by leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to its first title win last season, continues to perform well in IPL 2026. Patidar created a stir for RCB on Sunday by batting brilliantly against Mumbai Indians at their home ground and completed his half-century in just 17 balls with the help of 4 fours and 5 sixes.

Patidar failed to convert his innings into a big score but played an important role in taking his team to 240 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs.

Scored a 17 ball half century against Mumbai

Captain Patidar, who came to bat after Phil Salt was out, opened his account by hitting a four off Shardul Thakur and after this, he hit sixes of Mayank Markande who came to bowl in the next over. Patidar hit three sixes on the next three balls. His aggressive style continued further also. Patidar had scored 46 runs in 13 balls with the help of 3 fours and 5 sixes. Due to Virat Kohli's dismissal, he had to face four balls to reach from 46 to 50 and by hitting a four on the third ball of the 16th over, he completed his half-century in 17 balls. This was the fastest half-century of Patidar's IPL career.

Equaling Adam Gilchrist's 18 year old record

By completing his half-century in 17 balls, Patidar has jointly become the captain to score the fastest half-century in IPL history. Patidar equaled Adam Gilchrist's 18-year-old record in this matter. Gilchrist, while commanding Deccan Chargers in 2009, scored a half-century in 17 balls against Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils). Now Patidar has done this feat against Mumbai Indians.

Faf du Plessis's record broken

The record of scoring the fastest half-century as a captain for RCB was in the name of Faf Du Plessis. Du Plessis, while commanding RCB, scored his half-century in 18 balls against Gujarat Titans in the year 2024. Rajat Patidar broke Du Plessis's record made for RCB by scoring a fifty in 17 balls.

Making noise in IPL 2026

Rajat Patidar's performance in IPL 2026 has been excellent. Patidar has played innings of 31, 48*, 63 and 53 runs in the four innings of four matches played so far in the season. In his account, he has scored 195 runs in three innings of four matches at an average of 65. In the race for runs, Patidar is at second position (195) after Vaibhav Suryavanshi (200). His strike rate is 214.28. He hit 11 fours and 18 sixes in four matches. Patidar is at the first position with Vaibhav Suryavanshi in terms of jointly hitting the most number of sixes in the season. Vaibhav has hit 18 fours and 18 sixes so far.