As Royal Challengers Bangalore gear up for their second consecutive Indian Premier League final, captain Rajat Patidar remains calm and composed, carrying a clear focus on one goal: bringing the trophy home once again. RCB enter the final as defending champions after another dominant campaign in which they topped the league standings and secured direct qualification for the summit clash with a crushing 92-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.
Patidar's Mindset Ahead of the Big Match
Speaking ahead of the final, Patidar said the team is drawing confidence from both its recent performances and the memories of last year's title-winning campaign at the same venue. "Feeling great, back-to-back finals, and on the same ground. So, there are a lot of memories of last year. It's a final, it's a big stage, but for me I think it's a normal game," Patidar stated in a video released by RCB on X.
The RCB skipper stressed the importance of staying focused on the present rather than getting carried away by the occasion. "I always like to take a big game also as a normal game. And I always try to be more in the present. I don't want to think too much ahead. That it's going to be final. What is going to happen. Nothing about the result. Stay more in the present," he added.
Leadership Evolution and Batting Prowess
Most championship-winning teams struggle to sustain success, but Patidar has ensured RCB remained contenders. If IPL 2025 was about ending a drought, IPL 2026 has been about proving it was no accident. The season has showcased another evolution in his leadership. His captaincy has become sharper, his field placements more proactive, and his management of bowlers increasingly astute.
His batting has also reached another level. Patidar has scored 486 runs in 14 matches, his highest tally in an IPL campaign. He has smashed 41 sixes and once again established himself as one of the most destructive middle-order batters in the competition. The calm, understated captain continues to be RCB's middle-overs enforcer.
The Final Showdown
RCB will now look to complete a successful title defence when they face the Gujarat Titans today, with Patidar's men aiming to become only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back IPL trophies. Stay updated with the IPL 2026 Final between RCB and GT on Times of India. Follow live match updates, the latest IPL news, full IPL schedule, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
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