Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar led his side to a second consecutive IPL title as they defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final to successfully defend their crown and etch their names into IPL history.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, an emotional Patidar reflected on RCB’s title-winning campaign.
“It feels superb,” he said. “There were a lot of memories from last year, but we had to stay in the present. Don’t have words to express it, but I’m feeling good. The plan was clear; it was easier to chase. We wanted to get their top three.”
Patidar was particularly effusive in his praise for RCB’s bowling attack, which proved decisive throughout the tournament. The skipper credited the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Krunal Pandya and Jacob Duffy for their consistent performances across the season.
Patidar also spoke about the shift in the team’s mindset from the previous season.
“Last year, there was a lot of pressure,” he said. “This year, we were confident. Everyone was in a good frame of mind compared to last year. It was great to see fans turning up; everywhere we went, it felt like home.”
The RCB captain also opened up about his personal preparations ahead of the season, revealing how he focused on improving his game against pace bowling ahead of what proved to be a title-winning campaign.
“My pre-tournament preparation was very good,” he said. “The way I look at my batting, I always try to identify areas where I can improve, especially against pace bowlers. I got a lot of ideas and worked hard on them.”
Signing off on a note of humility and gratitude, Patidar summed up what the title meant to him.
“Our bowlers have been superb throughout the tournament,” he said. “Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh, Krunal and Sheppie – all have been outstanding. Never dreamt I’d win for RCB; it’s all written.”
The post GT vs RCB, IPL 2026 Final: “Never dreamt I’d win for RCB, it’s all written” – Rajat Patidar after leading RCB to a second consecutive IPL title appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
