Rajat Patidar Leads RCB to Consecutive IPL Finals with Record-Breaking Performance
RCB Secures Spot in IPL Final
Rajat Patidar made history by guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their second consecutive final after a commanding 93-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the first qualifier of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. This triumph ensures that the Bengaluru franchise will compete in the final on Sunday, May 31, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This marks the fifth final appearance for RCB, who previously sought their second title after winning their first last year against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The franchise had previously reached the finals in 2009, 2011, 2016, and 2025, but lost in their first three attempts before clinching their maiden title last season.
Patidar's Historic Achievement
Rajat Patidar Creates History
Patidar, the only captain in RCB's history to secure an IPL title, has now become the first to lead the team to two IPL finals. Previously, the franchise reached the finals under Anil Kumble (2009), Daniel Vettori (2011), and Virat Kohli (2016). Across all competitions, Patidar is the third captain to lead RCB to two finals, joining Vettori, who also led the team in the 2011 Champions League T20 Final, and Smriti Mandhana, who has led the RCB women's team to two Women's Premier League (WPL) finals, winning both in 2024 and 2016. Notably, Patidar is the first RCB captain to reach the IPL final in both of his first two seasons at the helm, a feat not achieved by Kumble or Vettori, who could not replicate their success in their second seasons.
Patidar's Playoff Success
Under Patidar's leadership, RCB has won three playoff matches, the most by any captain in the franchise's history. The following table illustrates the playoff records of RCB's men's captains:
Most Playoff Matches Won By A RCB Men's Captain In IPL
| Player | Playoff Matches Won | Playoff Matches Lost |
| Rajat Patidar | 3 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 2 | 4 |
| Anil Kumble | 1 | 2 |
| Daniel Vettori | 1 | 2 |
| Faf du Plessis | 1 | 2 |
Patidar Joins Elite Company
Rajat Patidar Joins Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma
The 32-year-old is only the second captain in IPL history to lead his team to the final in each of his first two seasons, with Hardik Pandya (GT in 2022 and 2023) being the only other to achieve this milestone. RCB is now among the fourth teams to reach back-to-back IPL finals, joining Chennai Super Kings (under MS Dhoni), Mumbai Indians (under Rohit Sharma), and GT (under Hardik). Apart from these captains, only Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer have participated in multiple IPL finals.
Patidar's Record-Breaking Performance
Rajat Patidar's Batting Heroics Breaks Record
Patidar was instrumental in RCB's victory over the Titans, scoring an impressive unbeaten 93 runs off just 33 balls, helping the 2025 champions set a record total of 254 runs after Shubman Gill opted to bowl first. This score ties for the highest individual score by a captain in a playoff match, matching David Warner's 93 against Gujarat Lions in the 2016 edition. Additionally, Patidar's nine sixes set a new record for the most by a captain in a playoff match, surpassing Shreyas Iyer's eight sixes from last year's match against MI. Overall, only Adam Gilchrist has hit more sixes in a playoff match. Patidar is also the second player, after Murli Vijay, to have two innings exceeding 90 runs in playoff matches, having previously scored 112 in the 2022 IPL eliminator against LSG.