Royal Challengers Bengaluru stamped their authority on IPL 2026 as they crushed Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, booking a place in the final. The contest barely had any contest once RCB’s batters took over: the defending champions piled up 254/5 in their 20 overs, powered by captain Rajat Patidar’s dominant 93 not out off only 33 balls. Gujarat’s response folded under the pressure, with their batting order collapsing and finishing 162 all out, giving RCB a decisive 92-run win and the momentum they needed heading into the title game.
RCB’s road to the final had already been lined with strong form. Winning nine of their 14 league matches, they finished at the top of the table and reignited a wider discussion in Indian cricket about who could be the next T20I captain. The conversation has only intensified after Patidar’s performances, with his impact in big moments sitting at the centre of the debate.
Captaincy debate gathers steam
During the first half of IPL 2026, Punjab Kings looked like the team best suited to go all the way, riding a remarkable run of six consecutive wins. That momentum, however, evaporated quickly. Punjab then lost six matches in a row, ultimately failing to secure a spot in the playoffs. Their early surge had elevated skipper Shreyas Iyer into the spotlight as a potential candidate for India’s T20I captaincy, but the mid-season collapse disrupted whatever momentum that talk had built.
Iyer’s leadership credentials still stand out on paper. He has captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2024, and steered Punjab Kings to the IPL final in 2025. Yet as IPL 2026 unfolded, the team’s sharp downturn slowed the narrative and left his case in a more uncertain position.
Another name frequently mentioned is Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter commands a huge following and is widely admired for his classy, controlled strokeplay. Samson has captained Rajasthan Royals for four seasons and led them to an IPL final in 2022. In 2025, playing for Chennai Super Kings, he still contributed with 477 runs from 14 matches, though the latest captaincy chatter has increasingly moved toward Patidar’s growing influence.
Why Rajat Patidar stands out
Rajat Patidar’s rise has been one of the defining stories of RCB’s campaign. He joined Bengaluru in 2022 as an injury replacement and quickly made an impression with his calm approach at the crease. In 2025, he was handed the captaincy, and under his leadership RCB ended an 18-year wait for a maiden IPL title. The breakthrough came by beating Punjab Kings in the final, a victory that carried special significance for Virat Kohli, who had long nurtured the dream of a title win for the franchise.
Before Patidar took charge, RCB were often labelled “chokers” after losing three IPL finals. That tag has faded as their fortunes shifted under his guidance, and they now stand on the verge of defending their title. While Kohli remains the public face of the team, Patidar has played a role just as vital behind the scenes and in the middle, blending maturity in decision-making with intelligent bowling changes and a knack for delivering performances that swing matches.
On the international stage, Patidar has played three Tests and one ODI, but he is yet to make his T20I debut. Still, his current form has kept his name in the conversation about India’s shortest-format leadership. Former India batter Ambati Rayudu suggested that Patidar fits the mould of a player around whom a T20 squad should be built. Rayudu said there are “two or three guys” he would choose first and build the squad around, adding that Patidar is “definitely one of them,” and stressed that he “need[s] him in the T20 squad.” When asked directly whether Patidar should replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain, Rayudu responded, “Yes, of course.”
Even if Patidar’s path to the captaincy is not immediate, his recent performances have clearly placed him ahead of other contenders like Iyer and Samson in the current conversation. If RCB complete their pursuit of a second IPL title on Sunday in Ahmedabad, it could further strengthen his argument for a role in India’s T20 setup—and possibly even a leadership position within the national team.
