NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi Stadium erupted as Rajat Patidar arrived for the post-match ceremony, moments after Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed their second successive IPL title. In the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets, igniting celebrations that echoed across the venue.<\/p>\n
RCB had lifted their maiden IPL trophy in Ahmedabad in 2025 and then backed it up the following year, defending the crown successfully in 2026. With this repeat triumph, the franchise became only the third in IPL history\u2014after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings\u2014to win back-to-back titles.<\/p>\n
The win also kept alive a remarkable pattern for Qualifier 1 winners, who went on to capture the championship for a ninth straight season. For Patidar, the night carried added significance as he joined an elite list, becoming only the third captain in IPL history to deliver consecutive title wins.<\/p>\n
MS Dhoni achieved the same rare feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, while Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to glory in 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n
After the trophy moment, Patidar took to social media to put the achievement into a few words. He wrote: \u201cEe Sala Cup Namdu\u201d.<\/p>\n
Looking back on the campaign, Patidar said the pressure this season felt noticeably different from the one the team experienced a year earlier. \u201cLast year was a lot of pressure, this year was more calm because the way we played throughout the tournament, we dominated this year,\u201d he said after the match.<\/p>\n
He added that the team\u2019s confidence was rooted in their performances across the competition. \u201cSo we were pretty much confident that if we are playing like this we are definitely going to win the second title for RCB,\u201d Patidar said.<\/p>\n
On his leadership approach, Patidar clarified that his composed presence on the field should not be read as a lack of awareness. \u201cI am not expressive but at the same time I am aware of the game situation. Of course you need a backing, as I said there was a lot of backing by the management and the players as well,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Patidar also singled out Virat Kohli for special praise, pointing to the former captain\u2019s impact both on and off the field. He noted that Kohli\u2019s influence continues to motivate the group as they navigate crucial moments.<\/p>\n
Kohli, meanwhile, was central to RCB\u2019s successful chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans. He finished unbeaten on 75, steering the side home with two overs remaining in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\n
For the tournament, the star batter ended with 675 runs, including one century and five half-centuries.<\/p>\n
When asked about Kohli, Patidar said he struggled to find words for what the captain brings to the team. \u201cIf I speak about Virat Kohli, I don\u2019t have words to explain him. He is used to doing great things,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n
Patidar continued, \u201cHe is a great player, everyone knows him\u2014the way he bats. We all have an opportunity to learn from him on and off the field. We spend lot of time with him and try to learn whatever he says, regarding cricket or anything else,\u201d the RCB captain added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi Stadium erupted as Rajat Patidar arrived for the post-match ceremony, moments after Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed their second successive IPL…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026 Final: RCB Win as Patidar Joins Dhoni, Rohit","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"RCB clinch a thrilling IPL 2026 title again as Rajat Patidar joins Dhoni and Rohit in the post-match celebrations after beating Gujarat Titans.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n