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Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final ahead of IPL showdown

Devansh Singh · 30/05/2026 · 1 min read

A Calm Approach to the Big Stage

Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is approaching the IPL 2026 final with the same cool-headed demeanor that defined his leadership in 2025. With a potential legacy-defining victory on the horizon, one might expect the captain to be feeling the weight of the moment. However, Patidar is keeping his eyes firmly on the task at hand, dismissing external noise regarding T20I selection or the pressure of captaincy.

Speaking from Ahmedabad before a training session, Patidar made it clear that his focus is not on individual accolades or the history books. “I’ve never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone,” he remarked. For Patidar, the focus remains on the process: “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.”

Devansh Singh

Devansh Singh is one of the most recognisable faces of Hindi cricket journalism, anchoring prime‑time sports shows on Aaj Tak and writing analytical features for India Today Hindi. A Banaras Hindu University alumnus, Singh built his reputation by merging traditional Hindi commentary with a modern, data‑backed approach. He has reported from three ICC Men's Cricket World Cups, the World Test Championship finals, and almost every India vs Pakistan clash of the last decade. His show Tactical Curtain — where he dissects a Test session ball‑by‑ball in Hindi — has a cult following among purists and digital audiences alike. Whether breaking down the footwork against a Dukes ball or narrating the untold stories of India’s cricketing past, Singh delivers insight with the accessibility and rhythm that only Hindi can offer.