Rajat Patidar is standing at the threshold of a piece of IPL history in Ahmedabad. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a win over Gujarat Titans in the final would make the RCB skipper only the third captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to lift the Indian Premier League trophy in consecutive seasons. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the championship match, Patidar played down any comparisons with other leaders and instead focused squarely on the work in front of the team.
Patidar’s chance at consecutive title glory
Patidar, who helped Bengaluru secure their maiden IPL championship in 2025, now has the opportunity to become one of the league’s most decorated captains on the biggest stage. He said he has not tried to measure himself against what other captains have achieved before, and that his attention is on what can be done during the current run-up to the final.
- He said he has “never” thought about comparing his captaincy to what other leaders have done, or whether he wants to compete with anyone.
- He described his journey as a “rollercoaster” but added that he stays focused on delivering his best wherever he is.
- With the final scheduled for the next day, Patidar stressed that the team’s approach is to give their maximum effort before the match ends.
From Qualifier 1 firepower to a captain’s role
The skipper’s rise in the tournament has been underpinned by big-impact knocks, particularly in the run to the final. In Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, Patidar produced a dominant display, striking 93 off 33 balls and helping RCB set up a decisive win.
- In Qualifier 1 vs GT, Patidar made 93 from 33 deliveries.
- RCB then won by 92 runs in that match, describing it as a thumping victory.
His stock has continued to climb, with the right-handed batter from Madhya Pradesh increasingly viewed as a potential future leader for India in T20 internationals. Patidar will turn 33 in a couple of days, but even as talk grows around his international prospects, he has insisted that his mind is not on selection conversations.
Calm on India selection and captaincy talk
On the eve of the final, Patidar dismissed questions about an India call-up and any ambitions of captaining the national team in T20 cricket. Despite having played three Tests and one ODI for India, he has not yet made his debut in the shortest format.
- Patidar said he is “not looking forward” to any India selection and does not expect to think about it.
- He noted that he does not “visualise” himself as the T20 captain of India, while adding that every captain wants to win trophies.
RCB’s 2022 breakthrough and a 2025 captaincy transformation
Patidar’s IPL journey includes a major turning point in 2022. He joined RCB in IPL 2022 as a mid-season replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia. In that season, he scored 333 runs across eight innings, maintaining a strike rate of 152.50. One of his signature knocks came in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, where he struck 112 off 54 balls.
- He joined RCB in IPL 2022 as a mid-season replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia.
- He finished IPL 2022 with 333 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 152.50.
- In the Eliminator vs Lucknow Super Giants, he scored 112 off 54 balls.
- RCB’s run ended in the next game of that season.
- In Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, he contributed a fluent 58.
Outside the league, Patidar’s form translated into a historic personal milestone in domestic cricket. A few weeks after his IPL 2022 efforts, he capped his dream run by smashing a match-winning century for Madhya Pradesh against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final.
IPL 2022, the batter’s breakthrough season, also proved to be a game-changer for his career. By IPL 2025, he was handed the captaincy of RCB, a franchise that had previously never won the trophy, despite coming close on multiple occasions without managing to lift the title.
Not defending 2025—building for 2026
With the opportunity to win again immediately after a title triumph, Patidar insisted that the team is not approaching the final as defenders of a previous championship. He said that last season’s success is already history and that the present moment is what matters most.
- He said that after winning the title last year, the team still treats each season as fresh.
- Patidar stressed that RCB cannot keep talking about 2025 and what was achieved—its focus must be on winning the title in the current campaign.
- He said the team’s mindset has not changed in principle, but they are not in the competition to defend anything as champions.
- He added that RCB has an opportunity to win one more title.
- He reinforced the point that it is a new season and a new chance to do it again in 2026.
RCB’s evolving culture: shared responsibility and a final-focused mindset
Patidar also pointed to a cultural shift inside the RCB camp—one that has moved the team away from being dependent on just one or two stars. In his view, responsibility is now spread across the entire squad, which has helped strengthen the team’s mentality match by match.
- He said that earlier the side relied on one or two players, but now every player takes responsibility when going out to bat or bowl.
- He described “responsibility” as the key word for individuals, along with eagerness to contribute to the team.
- He said the mindset has also evolved beyond simply playing qualifiers; the focus is on playing finals and winning finals.
