Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second consecutive IPL trophy by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 31).
After winning the toss, RCB's bowling unit put on a disciplined display. Rasikh Salam Dar starred with figures of 3/27, while veteran pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets each to restrict GT to 155/8.
Chasing a target of 156 runs, Virat Kohli produced a masterclass knock, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls to guide RCB home with five wickets and 12 deliveries to spare.
Speaking after the defending their crown, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar said: "I think it feels superb. When we came here, lot of memories of last year, the way we played last year. But at the same time, we have to be more in the present and we felt good. I don’t have words to express, but I’m feeling good."
Patidar chose to field first with a dedicated tactical plan to target GT's top three batters during the powerplay. He credited RCB’s bowling department for their consistency throughout the tournament.
"It was a clear plan. When we win the toss, it’s easy to chase, you know, and our plan was easy - get their top three in the powerplay, so it would be easy for us. And the way our bowlers performed throughout the tournament, not just in this match, was superb. And the way Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh - I want to mention every bowler, KP, Suyash, Sheppy - they bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament," he added.
Patidar became only the third captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to win consecutive IPL titles. He expressed immense gratitude during his post-match interview, noting that he "never dreamt of being a captain and lifting a trophy for RCB" but felt it "was all written".
"(On his journey from 2022 to captaining RCB to back-to-back titles) To be honest, I never dreamt of being a captain and lifting a trophy for RCB. I think it was all written and I’m grateful for it. (On the difference between this season and the last season) Obviously, last year there was a lot of pressure because it was the first year of winning the title," he stated.
Having broken their IPL title drought last season, Patidar mentioned that the team carried a higher level of confidence into this year’s tournament. He acknowledged the massive nationwide support of RCB fans, noting that stadium turnouts made every away game feel like playing at their home ground.
"This year, we were pretty confident because of the way we played in this tournament and everyone was in a good frame of mind. Slightly more confident as compared to last year and it was good. It was good to see fans coming to every ground wherever we went. It felt like a home ground for us. So overall it was great, great for RCB," he remarked.
Patidar credited his improved batting performance against pace bowlers to his thorough pre-season analysis, as well as hands-on tactical adjustments guided by batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik and veteran teammate Virat Kohli.
"Before entering the tournament, my pre-tournament prep was very good. The way I looked at my batting, I tried to analyse where I could improve, specifically which shots I could improve on against fast bowlers. In the tournament I worked with DK and many players, including VK (Virat Kohli) Bhai. I got so many inputs, ideas, and they helped me," he said.
Patidar specifically highlighted Kohli's active mentorship role in breaking the ice for incoming domestic and rookie players who felt too intimidated or hesitant to speak up.
"(On Virat Kohli’s influence in the team) whenever I see him, on the field and off the field also, he is always there for the team. He is always there for the players, especially the new players who are coming in. They have a lot of hesitation to speak, but he goes straight away and talks to them. So it was superb," he said.
In the end, Rajat Patidar shared a heartfelt message for the RCB fans. "So this one is for you again, RCB fans - Ee Salanu Cup Namdu (The cup is ours this time as well)," he concluded.
