Rajat Patidar Reflects on Unlikely Journey to IPL Glory with RCB

Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), found himself at a loss for words after his team secured its second consecutive IPL title. The triumph came after a five-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2026 final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, a victory that Patidar never envisioned when he first joined the franchise.

In the final, RCB successfully chased down a target of 156 runs, with Virat Kohli contributing an impressive unbeaten 75 to lead the charge. Patidar expressed the emotional weight of the moment, saying, “I think it feels superb, you know. When we came here, a lot of memory of last year, the way we played last year. But at the same time, we have to be more in the present and feeling good.”

The RCB captain revealed that the strategy of bowling first was intentional and praised his team's execution. The bowlers tackled the opposition effectively, dismissing key players Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan early on, which set the tone for the match. “Yeah, it was a clear plan. I think when we win the toss, it’s easy to chase, you know, and our plan was easy - get their top three in the powerplay, so it will be easy for us,” he explained.

Patidar also recognized the contributions of his entire bowling squad, highlighting the performances of players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, stating, “I want to mention every bowler... I think they bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament.” This title win marks a significant milestone for Patidar, who joined RCB in 2022 and has now become one of the few captains to defend an IPL title successfully.

Reflecting on the season, he noted that the pressure was less this time around due to the confidence gained from their previous victory. “Yeah, obviously, I think last year there was a lot of pressure... And this year, I think we were pretty much confident because of the way we played in this tournament,” he remarked. Patidar also extended his gratitude to the RCB fans, whose unwavering support made every ground feel like a home match.

In addition to his captaincy, Patidar credited his improved performance to thorough preparation and insights from experienced players like Virat Kohli, who actively encourages younger teammates. “I think whenever I see him, on the field and off the field also, he is always there for the team,” he said. In closing, he dedicated the victory to the loyal RCB fans, declaring, “So this one is for you again, RCB fans - Ee Salanu Cup Namdu (This year also the cup is ours).”