Rajat Patidar delivered one of the innings of IPL 2026 in Qualifier 1, hammering an unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls against Gujarat Titans to fire Royal Challengers Bengaluru into the final. The knock raised an interesting question — how does the RCB captain compare to one of the greatest T20 batters of his generation, Suryakumar Yadav, after both had batted at No.4 in exactly 32 IPL innings?
Patidar’s Qualifier 1 Masterclass
Coming in at No.4 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on May 26, Patidar took Gujarat Titans apart in breathtaking fashion. His 93 off 33 balls featured five fours and nine sixes as RCB posted a mammoth 254-5 batting first.
Virat Kohli contributed 43 off 25 and Krunal Pandya added 43 off 28, but it was Patidar who took the game away from GT. He and Krunal put on 95 runs for the fourth wicket in just 45 balls. Chasing 255, Gujarat Titans crumbled to 162 with Jacob Duffy taking 3-39 as RCB sealed a 92-run victory.
Overall Stats — Who Comes Out on Top?
| Player | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | HS | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | 1,029 | 35.48 | 175.00 | 93* | 0 | 11 | 65 | 75 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 994 | 35.50 | 151.75 | 102* | 1 | 7 | 98 | 42 |
The numbers tell a fascinating story. Patidar edges Suryakumar on runs, strike rate, sixes and half-centuries at this stage. Suryakumar leads on average, centuries and fours. The margins are razor thin across the board.
Average and Strike Rate — Patidar’s Big Advantage
In 32 IPL innings at No.4, Patidar has accumulated 1,029 runs at an average of 35.48 and a strike rate of 175. His numbers against specific opponents highlight his consistency — 164 runs in five innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad at a strike rate of 178.20, and 134 runs in five innings against Gujarat Titans at a remarkable strike rate of 197.05.
At the same stage, Suryakumar had 994 runs at an average of 35.50 and a strike rate of 151.75. His 23 innings for Mumbai Indians produced 838 runs at an average of 41.90 and a strike rate of 157.22, while nine innings for Kolkata Knight Riders brought 156 runs at a much lower average of 19.50.
The strike rate gap is the standout difference — Patidar scores at 175 compared to Suryakumar’s 151.75 at the same point in their careers. In the T20 format that is a significant advantage.
Fifty-Plus Scores — Patidar Has More but Suryakumar Has a Hundred
In 32 innings at No.4, Patidar has smashed 11 half-centuries. His best of 93 not out came against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026. Other notable knocks include 64 off 32 balls against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2025 and 63 off 40 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
Suryakumar had one hundred and seven half-centuries at the same stage. His standout knock was 102 not out off 51 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede in IPL 2024 — an innings featuring 12 fours and six sixes. He also scored 68 not out off 37 against RCB in Pune in IPL 2022 and 66 off 31 against Punjab Kings in Mohali in IPL 2023.
Patidar leads on volume of fifty-plus scores with 11 compared to Suryakumar’s eight, but Suryakumar’s century gives him the edge in terms of match-winning potential at the top end.
Fours and Sixes — Where They Differ Most
| Player | 4s | 6s | Total Boundaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | 65 | 75 | 140 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 98 | 42 | 140 |
Both players have hit exactly 140 boundaries in 32 innings at No.4 — but the split is completely different. Patidar is a six-hitter first, clearing the boundary 75 times compared to Suryakumar’s 42. Suryakumar relies more on fours, finding the boundary rope 98 times to Patidar’s 65.
Patidar against SRH: 11 fours and 10 sixes in five innings. Against GT: nine fours and 11 sixes in five innings. Against MI: nine fours and eight sixes in three innings.
Suryakumar against Punjab Kings: 21 fours and eight sixes in five innings. Against SRH: 18 fours and eight sixes in four innings. Against KKR: 13 fours and six sixes in three innings.
Record in Wins — Both Shine When It Matters
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | 20 | 622 | 36.58 | 187.34 | 93* | 0 | 6 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 13 | 418 | 41.80 | 177.11 | 102* | 1 | 2 |
In winning causes Patidar has scored 622 runs in 20 innings at an average of 36.58 and a stunning strike rate of 187.34, including six half-centuries. In 12 defeats, he has contributed 407 runs at 33.91 and a strike rate of 158.98 with five fifties.
Suryakumar posted 418 runs in 13 wins at an average of 41.80 and a strike rate of 177.11, including one century and two half-centuries. In 19 defeats, he scored 576 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 137.47 with five half-centuries.
Both players clearly elevate their game in winning matches. Patidar’s strike rate of 187.34 in wins is exceptional and highlights just how destructive he can be when RCB are on top.
Verdict — Who Wins the Comparison?
This is genuinely close. Suryakumar leads on average, centuries and fours — statistics that reflect his status as one of the best T20 batters in history. However Patidar leads on strike rate, sixes, runs and half-centuries at this exact stage of comparison.
What makes Patidar’s numbers even more impressive is that he has played fewer innings in a dominant team environment compared to Suryakumar’s time at Mumbai Indians. If he continues on this trajectory, the RCB captain is well on his way to matching one of T20 cricket’s all-time greats.
FAQs
How many runs has Rajat Patidar scored batting at No.4 in the IPL? Patidar has scored 1,029 runs in 32 IPL innings at No.4, averaging 35.48 at a strike rate of 175.
How does Patidar’s strike rate compare to Suryakumar Yadav at No.4? Patidar has a significantly higher strike rate of 175 compared to Suryakumar’s 151.75 after 32 IPL innings at No.4.
Who has more sixes — Patidar or Suryakumar at No.4 in the IPL? Patidar has hit 75 sixes compared to Suryakumar’s 42 in 32 IPL innings at No.4. Suryakumar leads on fours with 98 to Patidar’s 65.
What was Rajat Patidar’s score in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1? Patidar scored an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 in Dharamsala, helping RCB post 254-5 and win by 92 runs.
Who has a better record in wins — Patidar or Suryakumar at No.4? Both are excellent in wins. Patidar averages 36.58 at a strike rate of 187.34 in victories. Suryakumar averages 41.80 at a strike rate of 177.11 in wins at the same stage.
