IPL 2026 Final: Rajat Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final
Rajat Patidar, the dynamic leader of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is approaching Sunday’s IPL 2026 final with a clear and focused mindset, deliberately sidestepping any notions of legacy-defining moments or the pressures of T20I selection or India captaincy. His singular goal is to savor the grand occasion, an opportunity his team has earned through relentless effort and dedication throughout the arduous season.
“I’ve never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone,” Patidar stated in Ahmedabad, just prior to a crucial RCB training session. “As an individual, my journey has had its ups and downs, but I’ve never focused on that [captaincy, legacy]. Wherever I am, I focus on what I can do best in that moment. I’ve never thought too much about moving forward or looking back. Right now, we’re focused on giving our best in the final.”
Patidar’s Authentic Captaincy Philosophy
Patidar further elaborated on the continuous learning experience that comes with captaincy, even in the wake of having already secured a title in 2025, his debut season at the helm. He emphasized that there has been no external pressure to validate his leadership. “It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from so many experienced players,” he reflected. “At the same time, I’ve never tried to change myself. It’s important to be yourself. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I need to become someone different. The management has played a big role. They’ve never forced me to be anyone else.”
He continued, “They know what kind of person I am. The senior players also understand that. I’ve had good backing from both the management and the senior players, so I’ve never really faced any problems. I’m just staying in my zone and that’s helping me.” This reinforces his authentic leadership style and the robust support system surrounding him within the RCB camp.
Beyond India Call-Up Speculation
Despite his attempts to minimize discussions about his personal role and the growing whispers of an India call-up for upcoming tours to Ireland and England, Patidar was directly confronted with the question. His response was characteristically straightforward and consistent with his present-focused philosophy. “I haven’t visualised myself as India’s T20 captain,” he responded, deftly steering the conversation back to the immediate challenges and aspirations of RCB in the IPL. “But every captain wants to win trophies. 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.” This transition highlights his unwavering commitment to the team’s immediate goals.
The Unchanged Mindset for the Final
Recalling their previous final appearance, where RCB entered with a sense of the unknown, brimming with excitement and anticipation, Patidar was asked if that experience had altered their approach to dealing with high-stakes pressure. “To be honest, I don’t think we’ve changed much,” Patidar asserted. “The mindset is the same. 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. Our mindset is that we’re here to win another title.” This statement directly addresses the core keyword and explains its profound meaning in the context of their current campaign.
Empowering the Next Generation: Mentoring Young Talent
A significant aspect of Patidar’s captaincy has been his conscious effort throughout the long season to bolster the confidence of younger players within the squad and foster independent thinking among them. Patidar underscored the vital importance of this approach, having personally experienced the awe and nervousness of being a budding talent when he first broke into the scene in 2021. “I always try to spend time with them,” he explained. “I tell them it’s important to be yourself and trust your strengths. I’ve been in that situation myself. In 2021, I was looking at all the senior players and there was naturally some anxiety and nervousness. What I tell them is that 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. Focus on your strengths and on the things you can control. That’s the main message.” This section vividly details his crucial mentorship role within the team.
Rasikh Dar’s Impressive Impact
Among the emerging players, Rasikh Dar garnered special commendation from Patidar, who has been particularly impressed by his performance. Dar has seamlessly stepped up to fill the void left by Yash Dayal’s absence, proving to be an invaluable asset. He stands as RCB’s second-highest wicket-taker this season, boasting an impressive tally of 16 wickets. “When you have bowlers like Bhuvi and Hazlewood, you still need support from the rest of the attack,” Patidar elucidated. “The way Rasikh has come in and provided breakthroughs has been very important. You can’t win matches or tournaments relying on just one or two bowlers. He’s bowled superbly throughout the tournament and helped ensure the workload isn’t falling only on a couple of players. It’s been a genuine team effort.” This highlights a key individual contribution that has been vital to RCB’s success.
A Culture of Responsibility and a Winning Mindset
When probed about the team’s continuous evolution and their remarkable journey of resurgence over the past few years, which has seen them secure five playoff berths in six seasons, Patidar consistently emphasized two crucial elements: responsibility and mindset. “My observation is that every player now takes responsibility, whether it’s with the bat or the ball,” he remarked. “Responsibility is probably the key word. Every individual is keen to contribute and do something for the team. The other thing is the mindset. We’re not here just to qualify for the playoffs.”
He concluded, “We’re here to play finals and win finals. I think that mindset has changed the most.” This powerful concluding thought encapsulates the profound transformation in the team’s culture and their ambitious, winning outlook, propelling them into another IPL final with confidence and determination.
