Rajat Patidar, speaking after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier One, made it clear that the side’s success is not built around a single star. With the victory taking RCB to their second consecutive Indian Premier League final, the skipper praised the shared work across the squad, with particular emphasis on how the team struck hard and stayed on the front foot with the bat. RCB powered their way to their fifth IPL final on Tuesday, dispatching GT by 92 runs, and now have the chance to chase back-to-back titles.
Bengaluru set the platform in dominant fashion, posting 254 for 5 before closing the innings with authority as Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 162. The knock and the chase together saw a string of major milestones fall, underlining how emphatically RCB took charge of the contest from start to finish.
Reflecting on the collective effort, Patidar said the team is not dependent on one individual and stressed that contributions have come from throughout the group. He pointed out that the early momentum they received across the tournament—from players such as Virat, Venky, Bethell and Salt—has repeatedly provided the right foundation. In his view, that consistency has been a strong sign for the side as they pushed through the high-pressure stages.
Patidar also described his thinking during the innings, explaining that he first tried to read the wicket and identify the areas he could attack. He added that once he found his rhythm—highlighting a pull shot off Holder—he gained clearer direction on how to construct the rest of his innings. From there, he said, the focus shifted toward building momentum rather than overthinking each phase.
Leading from the front, Patidar struck 93 off only 33 balls, smashing five fours and nine sixes. His acceleration helped RCB keep control during the middle overs, effectively taking the game away from Gujarat Titans well before the innings could settle into a contest.
Devdutt Padikkal then built on the groundwork laid by the openers, continuing the tempo with a sharp 30 off 19 deliveries. He praised the fearless approach the team showed in a match where nerves are usually heightened, and he was also a key contributor to a sensational second-wicket partnership of 72 runs with Virat Kohli.
Padikkal underlined the significance of reaching the final again, noting that going back-to-back in only two years is no small achievement. He said the team discussed the need to be brave and to land the first punch, and believed RCB executed that plan brilliantly. In his assessment, the side came at GT from ball one, putting them under pressure immediately and maintaining that strain throughout.
Padikkal singled out Patidar for special praise as well, calling the captain’s innings “incredible” in such a big game under pressure. He credited Patidar with setting the tone and taking the match away from the Titans through his aggressive, decisive batting.
Dinesh Karthik, meanwhile, credited the batting group for sustaining an attacking mindset throughout the innings. He said the intent from the start was exceptional, beginning with Venky, Virat and Devdutt, and continuing as the innings progressed. Karthik acknowledged that in matches like this, teams sometimes retreat onto the back foot, but felt RCB ensured they kept moving forward and maintained their tempo rather than losing momentum.
He also referenced the pre-match emphasis on body language, saying Virat had spoken about its importance ahead of the game. In Karthik’s view, it was as strong as it had been across the previous few weeks, and that attitude helped the team carry out the job effectively. He concluded that RCB played like champions on the night.
The match delivered further landmarks for RCB. Their 254 for 5 became the highest-ever total in IPL playoff history, while the team also produced their best powerplay of the season with 76 for 1. Virat Kohli crossed the 600-run mark in an IPL season for the record sixth time, and for the fourth consecutive year since 2023. On the bowling and all-round contributions, Bhuvneshwar Kumar retained the Purple Cap with 26 wickets across the season, and Krunal Pandya became the first player in this IPL campaign to register a 200-plus run tally along with 10-plus wickets.
RCB will now head to Ahmedabad for the IPL 2026 Final on May 31, where they aim to become only the third team in IPL history to defend their title successfully and lift the trophy for a second straight season.
