Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar has outlined the mindset his side will carry into Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, with the defending champions aiming to keep their push for a second consecutive IPL title alive. After a strong league campaign, RCB finished top of the points table by winning nine of their 14 matches, securing a top-two spot and the benefit of two chances to reach the final. Having broken a long trophy drought last year, Bengaluru now faces the added pressure of defending the crown—something Patidar believes will be decided by how the team adapts to the sharper demands of playoff cricket.
Key takeaways
- RCB head into Qualifier 1 after topping the points table with nine wins from 14 league matches.
- Patidar said the team’s mindset is still built around attacking, not settling for safety in knockout cricket.
- The RCB captain highlighted the powerplay as a key battleground for their bowling unit against Gujarat Titans.
- He backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood to make an impact early, even though both had a rough outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final league match.
- Patidar stressed that the camp’s focus has remained on winning each game, regardless of the higher stakes in the playoffs.
Patidar pins hopes on powerplay bowling
While RCB were dominant for stretches during the league phase, Patidar acknowledged that the playoffs can be a different test entirely. He noted that Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have all managed to beat Bengaluru this season, underlining that every remaining opponent carries the capability to disrupt RCB’s momentum in the knockout stage.
Leading into the Qualifier 1 showdown with Gujarat Titans, Patidar placed particular emphasis on the bowling attack’s role—especially during the powerplay overs. He expressed confidence that the team will look to set the tone early, with their pace options expected to challenge the opposition openers and create wicket-taking opportunities.
“Our strength is bowling,” Patidar said, pointing to the prospect of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood bowling against Gujarat Titans’ batters during the opening phase. “The way we bowl in the powerplay, I think that will be very crucial. Everyone in the team knows that we are not here to defend; we are here with the mindset of attacking. We will look for early wickets.”
He added that repeating that approach is what has driven RCB’s results so far, stating that the same intent—supported by Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh (Salam)—is expected to continue in the biggest moment. Patidar also said the team’s goal is to keep the process consistent, rather than changing principles once the playoffs begin.
After a tough finish vs SRH, RCB seek a response
Despite the confidence surrounding the pace unit, RCB’s last league outing ended with a heavy defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they lost by 55 runs. In that match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar recorded figures of 0/51 and Josh Hazlewood finished with 0/55, as both struggled to control the scoring and remained wicketless during an expensive spell. Patidar and the squad will now be looking for a sharp turnaround from the same bowlers as the qualifiers approach.
With Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans looming, the focus shifts to whether RCB’s leading pace duo can find the form that matters most—particularly with the pressure of a place in the final at stake.
Knockout mindset: win-then-prepare
Patidar also discussed how the team views knockout cricket, saying the internal emphasis has not changed even with the greater stakes and the reward on offer. He explained that while winning Qualifier 1 guarantees direct progression to the final, the conversation inside the camp has remained centered on execution and results game by game.
“Win Qualifier 1 and you go straight through. But honestly, that hasn’t really been the conversation in our camp,” he said. “From the very start of the season, our focus has simply been on winning every game. If we win here, the team will get a good break before the final, which is important, and I think everyone is looking forward to that.”
