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'Nothing Changes': Rajat Patidar Reflects on RCB's Final Mindset Before GT Test
Cricket Gully | June 4, 2026 3:44 AM CST

Rajat Patidar seems to have his head in the game, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2026 Final to be held on May 31st Sunday at Narendra Modi stadium Ahmedabad.

 

With a win RCB would become only the third side in IPL history to win consecutive titles following in the footsteps of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Should Patidar lead his side to victory he would join MS Dhoniand Rohit Sharma as an Indian captain who has captained his side to back-to-back IPL titles.

 

But the RCB skipper isn't thinking about any records or comparisons, and when he spoke to reporters before the team's training session in Ahmedabad he clarified that his focus was squarely on executing his plans.

 

Rajat stated ahead of RCB's training session : 

 

 

"I've never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone. As an individual, my journey has had its ups and downs but I've never focused on that [captaincy, legacy]  Wherever I am, I focus on what I can do best in that moment. I've never thought too much about moving forward or looking back. Right now, we're focused on giving our best in the final." 

 

Also Read | Virat Kohli Stars as RCB Win IPL 2026 Final Again

 

Patidar Thanks Team Management, Seniors

 

Patidar also credited the RCB management and senior players with the role they played throughout the season and stated that it was a learning experience to captain a side full of experienced players while maintaining his own identity.

 

Patidar said : 

 

"It's a great opportunity for me to learn from so many experienced players, and at the same time, I've never tried to change myself. You have to be yourself. Just because I'm the captain doesn't mean I have to become someone else. The management have played a very important role. They've never tried to make me someone else,"

 

He Further added : 

 

"They know what kind of a person I am, so do the senior players. I've had good backing from both the management and senior players so I've never really faced any problems. I'm just staying in my zone and that's helping me"

 

Excellent Season Fuels RCB Confidence

 

Patidar himself has had an excellent IPL 2026 campaign scoring 486 runs from 13 innings at an average of 44.18 and a scintillating strike rate of 196.77.

 

The pick of his innings this season was undoubtedly his brutal 93 off just 33 balls at Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans a knock that earned him the Player of the Match award and sent RCB into the final against GT where they now come up against the Titans for a second time in the season.

 

Going into the replay Patidar will be keen to carry that form forward and fire RCB to a second consecutive IPL title.


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