Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run of back-to-back IPL championship triumphs has sparked fresh praise from former India internationals, with Saba Karim comparing RCB captain Rajat Patidar’s leadership style to the standards set by MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. RCB sealed their second consecutive title at the Narendra Modi Stadium, overcoming Gujarat Titans by five wickets. The achievement also placed Bengaluru among an elite group: after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, RCB became only the third franchise to win the IPL in consecutive seasons. Patidar meanwhile joined a very small list of captains to lift back-to-back trophies—only Dhoni (2010 and 2011) and Rohit (2019 and 2020) have previously done it.
Key takeaways
- RCB claimed a second straight IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
- The win made Bengaluru the third franchise ever to win consecutive IPL titles, following Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
- Rajat Patidar became only the third captain to deliver back-to-back IPL championships, joining MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
- Saba Karim highlighted Patidar’s role clarity, noting his rise from a replacement player to captaincy.
- Sanjay Bangar pointed to RCB’s timing and experience, suggesting the breakthrough arrived after years of near misses.
- Anil Kumble said Gujarat Titans’ middle order failed to support the top order in key moments, including the final.
Karim on Patidar’s leadership and RCB’s structure
Saba Karim stressed that one of the major reasons Bengaluru managed to win again was the clarity surrounding individual roles within the squad, and he credited Patidar for that. He also outlined Patidar’s journey—arriving as a replacement player before gradually earning a leadership position.
Karim further noted the challenge of gaining authority in a dressing room packed with established international performers, including Virat Kohli, especially for someone without prior international experience. In his view, Patidar earned that standing through consistent output and, once established, became central to how the team was shaped.
He also linked Patidar’s captaincy to RCB’s bowling strength, saying the skipper played a significant part in building a strong bowling unit. Karim added that when discussing captains who have led teams to consecutive championships, names like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma come up—and he believes Patidar’s approach shows similarities to that kind of leadership.
Bangar’s view: experience, temperament and finally the breakthrough
Sanjay Bangar, who previously worked as RCB’s head coach before Andy Flower took over the role, felt Bengaluru’s long-awaited breakthrough arrived at the right moment after seasons of being close without converting opportunities. In his assessment, the side always looked capable of delivering that level of impact, but the franchise simply had to wait.
Bangar said RCB had regularly reached the knockout stage and pushed deep into finals, yet success only fully clicked once the team tasted triumph and found the right combination of players who complemented one another.
He singled out the experience within this RCB group, arguing that many of the players have international cricket exposure. Because of that, Bangar suggested the squad’s makeup resembles an international team in how it is structured and functions. He added that such experience and temperament become crucial in high-pressure phases, and with confidence now multiplied by success, Bengaluru’s momentum could extend further.
Bangar concluded by suggesting that this title run might mark the start of a period in which RCB could add more trophies in the seasons ahead.
Kumble on Gujarat Titans: top order starts, but the middle order didn’t hold
Turning to Gujarat Titans’ campaign, Anil Kumble argued that their middle order did not deliver enough to back up the top three during the most critical phases—an issue that surfaced in the final. He pointed out that GT responded strongly after early setbacks, with their top order repeatedly producing strong starts across the tournament.
Kumble also praised Gujarat’s bowling unit, describing it as experienced and capable of managing pressure situations. However, he said the middle order lacked consistency when the openers and top-three batters failed to convert early advantages, leaving the chase or game control vulnerable.
In his view, opponents understood that if they removed the top three quickly, they would create a genuine opening in the match—and that pattern played out decisively in the final. Kumble said Gujarat Titans were unable to recover from those early blows, and added that the franchise will look to strengthen this area as they move toward the next season.
