Rajat Patidar is just one win away from etching his name alongside IPL captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who successfully defended the title during their stints. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper, however, insists he wants to lead in his own style rather than trying to replicate the approach of past leaders. Patidar, who guided RCB to their first IPL crown in 2025, now has the chance to deliver a consecutive title run—if his team can get the better of Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Key takeaways
- Rajat Patidar believes RCB can secure a second straight IPL title with a win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
- He said he does not try to mirror earlier captains’ methods, stressing the importance of staying true to himself.
- Patidar credited senior figures in the RCB setup, including Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, for helping him learn both on and off the field.
- He pointed to support from the coaching staff—Andy Flower and Mo Bobat—and backing from the management for giving him room to operate.
- The Madhya Pradesh batter also highlighted his enjoyment of guiding younger teammates as a core part of leadership.
- On the prospect of an India call-up, Patidar said he is not focused on any national selection or envisioning himself as India’s T20 captain.
Patidar’s leadership philosophy: be yourself
Speaking at the pre-match media interaction on Saturday, Patidar said that while every captain naturally wants trophies, the way he goes about it is rooted in personal authenticity. He explained that leadership does not require him to become someone else, adding that his focus remains on performing to the best of his ability.
He further underlined that he is not trying to compare his captaincy with the accomplishments of predecessors. In his view, the only meaningful question is how he can best contribute from the present moment into the crucial stages of the campaign. With the final looming, he said the team will aim to produce its best performance starting from the match in Ahmedabad.
Learning from RCB’s seniors and staff
At 32 years old, Patidar said his growth as both a T20 player and a captain has been shaped by the environment around him at RCB. He described the dugout as a place where guidance comes in multiple forms—through experienced team-mates and helpful conversations that add value to daily preparation.
Patidar specifically mentioned Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as key sources of learning, saying he is constantly trying to absorb ideas from them and apply those lessons to matches. Alongside the players, he also credited the coaching team, naming Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, for providing the space he needs to work and contribute effectively.
He also spoke about the relationship with the franchise management, stating that they do not impose decisions on him and understand his individual nature. According to Patidar, both the management and senior players have a clear understanding of the kind of person he is, which he said helps him stay in his comfort zone and concentrate fully on the job at hand.
Guiding young players and the India question
Patidar added that another major responsibility he enjoys as captain is mentoring younger members of the squad. He said he makes it a point to spend time with them and repeatedly reinforces a simple message: being yourself matters most. He referenced his own experience in 2021, when he was watching senior players up close while feeling anxiety and nervousness.
From that memory, he said he tries to help the younger group by telling them not to be distracted by who is standing in front of them. Instead, his advice is to remember that they earned their place, and to channel energy toward their strengths rather than obsessing over things beyond their control.
With his strides in T20 cricket and captaincy becoming more prominent, Patidar was asked whether he thinks about an India cap—potentially even as captain in the shortest format. He responded that he is not looking ahead to any India selection and does not picture himself as the T20 captain of the national team.
