RCB's Rajat Patidar Shifts Focus to 2026 After IPL Triumph
RCB's New Season Mindset
Captain Rajat Patidar emphasized that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have moved on from the excitement of their IPL victory last season, concentrating instead on the current season's objectives to secure another championship.
RCB kicked off IPL 2026 with an impressive six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, but Patidar clarified that they are not approaching this season as a title defense.
"We are not here to defend anything; what we achieved in 2025 is behind us. Our focus for 2026 is to check all the necessary boxes, which will lead us to another trophy," Patidar stated during the post-match press briefing.
In this regard, RCB made significant progress with standout performances from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Jacob Duffy, who played crucial roles in the team's success.
Patidar praised Kohli, saying, "Virat Kohli is the ultimate chase master. I have always admired his batting, and watching him from the dugout, the way he executed his shots and assessed the game was impressive as always."
"I believe, like head coach Andy Flower, that he is at the peak of his game. His innings were indescribable. He is my idol, and observing his energy and eagerness to excel in the nets is a learning experience for me," he added.
He also commended pacer Duffy, who took three wickets to dismantle SRH's top order, expressing RCB's strong confidence in the Kiwi bowler. "Jacob Duffy is a specialist T20 bowler, and his skill delivery was outstanding," Patidar remarked.
A Moment of Remembrance
The match between RCB and SRH commenced with a moment of silence honoring the 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede near the stadium last year.
Patidar reflected on the emotional toll of missing family members, stating, "It’s always a sad feeling to be away from family. I consider everyone who has supported us over the years as part of our family, and we truly miss them. I find it hard to express my feelings right now."
Nonetheless, he expressed joy at returning to Chinnaswamy Stadium, saying, "Absolutely! Coming back to Chinnaswamy for our season opener and playing in front of our 12th man army was exhilarating and a lot of fun."