Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) endured yet another setback in the IPL 2026, registering their second straight defeat as they went down to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a rain-disrupted but fiercely competitive encounter. After the match, RCB captain Rajat Patidar fielded questions at the post-game press conference, speaking at length about how his side is approaching the season and how they’ve been performing so far. Bengaluru, who are defending the title they lifted last year, have a different mindset this time around, Patidar stressed—one that doesn’t revolve around protecting a championship.
Addressing the media following the close contest versus Lucknow, Patidar made it clear that the team’s intention is not to play like reigning champions. Instead, he said RCB want to bring an aggressive brand of cricket, similar to the approach that helped them win the trophy in 2025. “We are not playing as a defending champion this season. We have the opportunity to become a champion once again. So, we don’t have the mindset to defend (the trophy). We want to play an attacking game; we don’t have a defensive mindset. This is a new season. What we did was in 2025. This is a new season. So, we are trying to do our best for the team as much as we can,” he said.
For Lucknow, the platform was laid by opening batter Mitchell Marsh, who struck a superb century to steer his side into a strong position. Patidar praised the Australian’s impact, acknowledging that Marsh’s innings created pressure for RCB. At the same time, he believes Bengaluru were not far from turning the match in their favour, feeling they were only a couple of boundaries away from winning despite the defeat. “Mitchell Marsh, he did some good batting on this wicket. The wicket was also a good batting track. And the way he started the powerplay, I think he put pressure on us in a way. After that, the way our bowlers controlled the game, there was a break in the middle and it rained, I think we got time to think. Overall, the way they started and the way we finished, I think I am satisfied with the way we bowled and controlled the game. In the game, I think we were two shots behind. I think we lost the match because of those missing runs,” Patidar said.
Despite the loss, RCB remain well placed in the playoff race, dropping to third place in the points table. The defeat may have hurt, but Bengaluru are still regarded as among the favourites to qualify for the knockout stage.
