Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final ahead of IPL 2026
Approaching the IPL 2026 Final with Clarity
As the cricketing world turns its eyes toward Ahmedabad for the IPL 2026 final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar remains remarkably composed. In a sport often defined by legacy, pressure, and future prospects, Patidar has chosen a path of simplicity. He is not concerned with cementing a personal legacy or addressing rumors surrounding national team captaincy. For him, the objective is singular: to enjoy the occasion that his team has earned through consistent, hard work.
Speaking ahead of a pivotal training session, Patidar dismissed the notion of competing with the ghosts of past leaders or worrying about his own historical narrative. ‘I’ve never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone,’ Patidar stated. ‘As an individual, my journey has had its ups and downs, but I’ve never focused on that. Wherever I am, I focus on what I can do best in that moment.’ This grounded approach has become the hallmark of his tenure, allowing the team to remain tethered to the task at hand rather than getting lost in the noise of external expectations.
The Philosophy of Leadership
Patidar’s leadership style has been characterized by an authentic, unforced demeanor. Having tasted success in his very first season as captain in 2025, one might expect a shift in his persona, yet he remains steadfastly himself. He credits the RCB management and senior players for fostering an environment where he doesn’t feel the need to mask his personality. ‘It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from so many experienced players,’ he noted. ‘At the same time, I’ve never tried to change myself. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I need to become someone different. The management has played a big role in ensuring I stay who I am.’
Staying Present: The Key to Success
When pressed on the inevitable topic of an India call-up for the upcoming international assignments, Patidar’s response was characteristically straightforward. He has not visualized himself as a national captain, preferring to keep his focus strictly on the immediate goal: winning another IPL trophy. He emphasized the danger of living in the past, even with the 2025 title win serving as a confidence booster. ‘We won one last year, but this is a new season. You can’t keep talking about what happened in 2025. You have to stay in the present and focus on what you can do now to win another title.’
Reflecting on the psychological evolution of the team, Patidar noted that while the group is more experienced, the internal hunger remains unchanged. ‘The mindset is the same,’ he explained. ‘We’re not thinking like defending champions. We don’t see it as defending something we won in 2025. It’s a new season and a new opportunity.’
Empowering the Next Generation
A significant aspect of Patidar’s captaincy has been his mentorship of younger players. Drawing from his own experiences as a breakthrough player in 2021—where he faced the natural intimidation of sharing a dressing room with legends—Patidar now makes a conscious effort to ensure younger teammates feel valued and capable. ‘I tell them it’s important to be yourself and trust your strengths,’ he shared. ‘They don’t need to worry about who’s standing in front of them or who is in the dressing room. They’re here because they deserve to be here.’
One player who has particularly thrived under this culture is Rasikh Dar. Stepping in to fill the void left by Yash Dayal, Dar has become a pivotal part of the RCB bowling unit, contributing 16 wickets to the campaign. Patidar was quick to praise this collective effort, noting that success is never the result of a single individual’s labor. ‘You can’t win matches or tournaments relying on just one or two bowlers. The way Rasikh has come in and provided breakthroughs has been very important.’
A New Era of Responsibility
Looking back at the trajectory of RCB, which has now made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, Patidar identifies ‘responsibility’ as the cornerstone of their resurgence. It is no longer just about qualifying; it is about winning. ‘My observation is that every player now takes responsibility, whether it’s with the bat or the ball,’ he concluded. ‘Every individual is keen to contribute and do something for the team. We’re here to play finals and win finals. I think that mindset has changed the most.’ As RCB walks onto the field for the 2026 final, they do so not as a team burdened by history, but as a unit empowered by the present moment.
