Rajat Patidar, captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, praised Josh Hazlewood’s two goals an hour into the Chennai Super Kings innings as a “game changer” that enabled his side to break through Fortress Chepauk in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday for the first time since 2008.

“If I speak about this match, it was a decent total on this surface since it was difficult for batsmen to smash fours and sixes and the ball was slowing a little. Playing in Chepauk is always unique because of the supporters and how they cheer for their sides,” he remarked.

Hazlewood dismissed Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad in his first over to give his side a strong start after Patidar, who was dropped three times, delivered a crucial half-century that enabled RCB reach a difficult target of 196/7 in 20 overs. CSK was quickly down to 75/5 after failing to bounce back from those early hits, which were exacerbated by a pair of strikes apiece from Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone.

When all was said and done, CSK could only muster 146/8 thanks to a few huge runs from MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in the last overs. They suffered their worst-ever loss at MA Chidambaram Stadium, losing by 50 runs. This was RCB’s first victory at CSK’s home field since the 2008 opening match.

RCB won their first two games for the first time in IPL history, and Patidar credited his bowlers for making it happen.

“We got two-three wickets in the first six overs, which changed the course of the match,” Patidar stated in reference to Hazlewood’s early wickets. It’s incredible how they managed to keep it on the hard length considering the ball wasn’t hitting the bat with ease.

He praised Livingstone specifically and thought his spinners bowled well as well. “This track was pretty helpful for spinners, so I was just keeping it in mind that I could use my spinners at the early stage,” Patidar, who often switched up his bowlers, said. The way Livingstone came in and bowled four overs in particular was amazing.

According to the RCB captain, his knock was ultimately very important. He said he made an effort to remain at the crease for as long as he could.

Since we were aiming for 200, which would be difficult to pursue, I believe it was crucial. I knew I was going to make the most of every ball while I was there,” he said.

While RCB will go back home to await a match against Gujarat Titans on April 2 at the M.Chinnasway Stadium, CSK will now head to Guwahati for a match against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.