Rajat Patidar admitted he still struggled to put the feeling into words after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second consecutive IPL crown, insisting that lifting the trophy for the franchise was never something he had allowed himself to picture. Speaking soon after the final, the RCB captain said the emotions were hard to define, but the joy was unmistakable as the team completed another title defence with a commanding performance.
Bengaluru sealed the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 provided the steadying hand in the chase, helping RCB reach the target after their bowlers had limited GT to 155/8. For Patidar, the moment carried the weight of memory—especially the familiar build-up from the previous year—while also demanding that the squad stay fully present. “It feels superb,” he said. “When we came here, there was a lot of memory from last year, the way we played. But at the same time we have to be more in the present and feel good. I don’t have words to express it, but I’m feeling good.”
The skipper also made it clear that choosing to bowl first was in line with the pre-match plan. He praised the way his bowlers carried out their responsibilities, starting with early strikes that shifted the pressure onto Gujarat from the outset. Patidar noted that once the toss went Bengaluru’s way, the chase became simpler in terms of execution, because the strategy was designed to break up the opposition’s momentum early. He highlighted the powerplay as the key phase, pointing to the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan during that window. “Yeah, it was a clear plan,” Patidar said. “I think when we win the toss, it’s easy to chase, and our plan was easy—get their top three in the powerplay, so it will be easy for us. And the way our bowlers bowled throughout the tournament, not just in this match, I think it was superb.”
Patidar ensured the credit went to the entire bowling group for delivering back-to-back title-winning performances. He specifically called out the impact of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hazlewood, and Rasikh, while also mentioning KP, Suyash, and “Sheppy” as part of the unit that consistently delivered breakthroughs and tight spells across the campaign. “And the way Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh—I want to mention every bowler,” he said. “KP, Suyash, Sheppy—I think they bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament.”
The title triumph also completed a remarkable personal journey for Patidar, who joined RCB in 2022 and has now become one of the rare captains to successfully defend an IPL title. In his response, he returned to the theme of disbelief, stressing that the transformation from joining the franchise to leading it to two trophies in successive seasons feels extraordinary. “To be honest, I never dreamed of that, to be a captain and lifting a trophy for RCB,” he said. “I think it was all written, and I’m grateful for it.”
With RCB having already tasted maiden success a year earlier, Patidar suggested the pressure in the current season looked different. Instead of being driven by the burden of first-time expectations, the squad operated with greater confidence after seeing how the tournament unfolded for them. He explained that last year carried more weight because it was the team’s first title-winning campaign, while this time around the mindset was steadier. “Yeah, obviously, I think last year there was a lot of pressure because it was the first year for us,” he said. “And this year, I think we were pretty much confident because of the way we played in this tournament, and everyone was looking in a good frame of mind.”
Patidar also thanked the supporters for making each venue feel like a home stop during the campaign. He spoke about the consistency of fan presence wherever the team played, saying the atmosphere gave the side an extra edge. “It was good to see fans were coming in every ground wherever we go,” he said. “It feels like a home ground for us. So I think overall it was great, great for RCB.”
On the batting front, the captain attributed his improved form to deliberate preparation before the tournament, including detailed work on identifying areas where he could sharpen his game against faster bowling. Patidar said he spent time breaking down his batting and focusing on the shots he needed to refine, particularly when facing pace. “I think before entering the tournament, the pre-tournament prep was very good for me,” he said. “The way I looked at my batting, I tried to analyse where I can improve, which are the shots I can improve on against the fast bowlers especially.”
Within the tournament, he pointed to the support and coaching he received while working with DK and a number of players, including VK Bhai. Patidar described those sessions as practical and idea-rich, helping him adjust and build confidence with each match. “In the tournament I worked with DK and a lot of players, VK Bhai. I got so many inputs, ideas, and it helped me.”
Patidar also highlighted Virat Kohli’s influence in the dressing room, describing how the veteran batter consistently backs younger players and helps them settle quickly. He said Kohli’s presence is felt both on and off the field, and that the communication—especially with new entrants—removes hesitation and encourages them to speak up. “I think whenever I see him, on the field and off the field also, he is always there for the team,” Patidar said. “He is always there for the players, especially the new players who are coming in.” He added: “They have a lot of hesitation to speak, but he goes straight away and talks to them. So I think it was superb.”
To finish, Patidar sent a message straight to the fans who have followed RCB across the country. He dedicated the win back to the supporters in a line that carried the same celebratory energy as the title itself. “So this one is for you again, RCB fans—Ee Salanu Cup Namdu (This year also the cup is ours).”
For a captain who once never imagined leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to silverware, Patidar now holds two IPL titles in two seasons, further securing his place in the franchise’s history.
