Rajat Patidar Prepares for IPL Final as RCB Captain

Rajat Patidar Reflects on His Captaincy Journey

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar shared his thoughts on his inaugural season in this leadership role.

Describing the current IPL season as a 'dream season,' Patidar expressed his excitement, stating, 'For me, it's a dream season because I'm captaining for the first time, and it's also very thrilling.'

Learning from Seasoned Players

Patidar emphasized the importance of learning from experienced players and leaders, noting that their varied insights have been crucial for his development as a captain.

He remarked, 'I have truly enjoyed this experience. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the game's great leaders and international players. Their diverse ideas are significantly aiding me in my new role.'

He added, 'I don't find it frustrating. We're not focused on the finals stage; instead, we aim to play our best cricket. I prefer to keep things straightforward. Tomorrow's game will be exciting for us.'

Aiming for Their First IPL Title

RCB is set to compete against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday, June 3, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This match is particularly significant as both teams are yet to secure an IPL trophy.

Historically, Bengaluru and Punjab have faced each other 36 times in the IPL, with both teams winning 18 matches each.

In their last meeting, RCB triumphed over PBKS by eight wickets in Qualifier 1, with Philip Salt contributing a strong 56 runs. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings advanced to the final after defeating Mumbai Indians by five wickets, thanks to Shreyas Iyer's pivotal 87-run performance.