Patidar on RCB’s encore: ‘We didn’t just play but we dominated’
A Birthday to Remember for Rajat Patidar
In the early hours of Monday morning, the atmosphere in Ahmedabad was electric, yet grounded by the quiet satisfaction of a champion. Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), walked into the press conference room with the IPL trophy in hand, his face illuminated by a rare, broad smile. Marking his 33rd birthday with the ultimate gift—a second straight IPL title—Patidar looked back on a campaign that will go down in franchise history.
The Philosophy of Dominance
When asked about the journey compared to the previous season, Patidar offered a perspective rooted in consistency. “Last year was a lot of pressure,” he admitted. “This year, I was more calm. The way we played through the tournament, Patidar on RCB’s encore: ‘We didn’t just play but we dominated’. I was confident if we played like this, we could win the second title for RCB.”
For the skipper, the focus remains firmly on the future. Despite the magnitude of the back-to-back achievement, he is already looking ahead to a potential three-peat. He emphasized that individual accolades pale in comparison to team success, choosing to live in the present while maintaining a hunger for continued excellence.
Technical Mastery and Leadership Evolution
Patidar’s success was not merely a matter of captaincy; it was the result of meticulous off-season preparation. Accumulating 501 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, he enjoyed his most prolific season since his 2021 debut. Much of this improvement is attributed to his collaboration with Dinesh Karthik. The two worked extensively on his trigger movements and technical adjustments, providing him the clarity needed to execute under pressure.
Beyond the bat, Patidar credited his leadership growth to observing Faf du Plessis. From the former captain, he learned the importance of body language and confident presentation, traits he now emulates to keep the team steady. He noted, “As a captain, I’m not very expressive, but at the same time I’m aware of game situations. Of course, you need backing, and there was a lot of it from the management and players.”
The Unsung Heroes Behind the Success
Patidar was quick to shift the spotlight onto the coaching staff, specifically highlighting the influence of bowling coach Omkar Salvi. While often flying under the radar, Salvi’s one-on-one approach with the bowling unit has been instrumental, particularly in the development of young talents like Rasikh Salam, who finished the season with 19 wickets.
The captain also reserved high praise for Andy Flower. According to Patidar, Flower has transformed the team culture, ensuring that every player—from the seasoned stars to the first-timers—feels valued. “The culture has changed,” Patidar explained. “The coaching staff treats every player equally; that is a big change.”
A Moment of Reflection
Amidst the jubilation, the tone turned somber as Patidar recalled the tragedy that overshadowed the team’s first title victory last year. The loss of lives during the celebrations outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a painful memory for the franchise. In a touching gesture of solidarity and remembrance, Patidar dedicated this second championship to those fans and their families. “You feel bad obviously; you lost your fans after winning the game… not fans, family members, so I want to dedicate this trophy to them. No words to express,” he said.
As RCB looks toward the future, the legacy of this team is already cemented. With a captain who balances technical precision with a calm, collective mindset, the franchise has firmly established itself as the team to beat in the Indian Premier League.
