“It feels superb”: Rajat Patidar Rajat ecstatic as RCB clinch back-to-back IPL t
A Historic Title Defense for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have successfully defended their Indian Premier League title, securing back-to-back championships under the visionary leadership of Rajat Patidar. With this historic achievement, Bengaluru joins an elite club, becoming only the third franchise in IPL history—alongside the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI)—to successfully defend the coveted trophy. The final showdown of the IPL 2026 season saw a clinical exhibition of tactical superiority as RCB asserted their dominance over the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Masterclass in the Field: RCB Bowlers Stifle GT
The Narendra Modi Stadium, serving as the home ground for the Gujarat Titans, was the very venue where Royal Challengers Bengaluru had captured their maiden IPL title in the previous season. While the home advantage technically belonged to GT, the momentum was firmly with the defending champions. Winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first, anticipating that the surface would offer some early trickiness that his bowling unit could exploit.
The primary challenge for RCB was neutralizing GT’s formidable top-order batting lineup, spearheaded by the explosive opening duo of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, alongside the dangerous Jos Buttler. However, RCB’s bowlers executed their pre-match plans to perfection. By removing the top-order cheaply, they triggered a massive collapse in the GT batting department. The home side struggled to find any rhythm and was restricted to a modest total of 155 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their designated 20 overs.
Among the GT batters, only Washington Sundar put up a significant resistance, playing a gritty, unbeaten knock of 50 runs off 37 deliveries. The standout performer with the ball for Bengaluru was Rasikh Salam, who delivered an exceptional spell, claiming 3 wickets in his 4 overs while maintaining a highly disciplined economy rate of 6.75. The experienced bowling duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood provided ample support, picking up two wickets each to put the brakes on the Titans’ scoring rate.
The Chase-Master Steers RCB to Victory
Chasing a target of 156, Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a flying start. After a watchful opening over, Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli began taking the attack to the opposition bowlers. However, the Gujarat Titans refused to back down without a fight on their home turf. Following the dismissal of Venkatesh Iyer, GT’s bowling attack struck back in quick succession, removing Devdutt Padikkal, skipper Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya to put RCB under sudden pressure.
Despite the flurry of wickets, the chase-master Virat Kohli stood like a rock at one end. Demonstrating unmatched composure and tactical brilliance, Kohli anchored the innings and steered RCB steadily toward their target. He found an able partner in Tim David, who played an essential supporting role to ensure no further slip-ups occurred. Kohli finished the match unbeaten on a brilliant 75 off just 42 deliveries, a masterclass innings punctuated by nine boundaries and three spectacular sixes. His batting masterclass guided RCB to a five-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare, sparking jubilant celebrations in the Bengaluru dugout.
“It feels superb”: Rajat Patidar Reflects on Back-to-Back Glory
Reflecting on the monumental triumph, an ecstatic RCB captain Rajat Patidar shared his thoughts on lifting the trophy once again in Ahmedabad. The skipper acknowledged the incredible teamwork and systematic planning that laid the foundation for their victorious campaign.
“It feels superb. When we came here there was a lot of memories of last year. I don’t have words to express but feeling very good. It was clear planning. When we win the toss, it was easy to chase. The way Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh, KP, Suyash and Shepherd, they bowled really well throughout the tournament,” Patidar stated after the match.
Patidar also opened up about his unexpected journey to captaining the franchise and the confidence within the squad. He credited veteran player Dinesh Karthik for playing a pivotal role in his personal preparation and growth as a leader.
“I never dreamt of becoming the captain of RCB and lifting the trophy. I think it was written. Grateful for that. We were slightly more confident than last year. Everywhere it felt like a home ground for us with the fans coming in. The pre tournament prep was very good for me. I tried to analyze which shots are good for me. I got so many inputs from DK, which were helpful for me. He is always there for the team,” Patidar added.
A Legacy Cemented in IPL History
With back-to-back titles, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have established a genuine dynasty in modern T20 cricket. The seamless blend of youthful energy, exemplified by performers like Rasikh Salam, and veteran expertise, delivered by the likes of Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood, has transformed RCB into an incredibly balanced unit. Under Rajat Patidar’s calm leadership and with the unwavering backing of their passionate fan base, RCB has written a glorious new chapter in IPL history.
