The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have stormed into the IPL 2025 final after nine years, and while several players contributed to this remarkable turnaround, one name has stood out both on and off the field — Rajat Patidar.
The 32-year-old batter, in his debut season as captain, has impressed not only with his calm leadership but also with his humility and consistency. Dinesh Karthik, RCB’s batting coach and mentor, described Patidar as the “biggest eye-opener” in his cricketing life.
Dinesh Karthik Calls Rajat Patidar ‘The Biggest Eye-Opener’ of His Life
In the second episode of RCB’s Journey to the Finale, RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik opened up about how Patidar’s grounded personality surprised him. Karthik praised the skipper’s unchanged behavior despite gaining power and attention.
“Rajat Patidar has been the biggest eye-opener of my life,” Karthik said.
“When people get a little bit of power or adulation, they tend to change. But not Rajat. He’s been the same humble, steady person even after becoming the captain.”
Karthik’s admiration stems from watching many players lose their sense of humility under pressure, but Patidar’s attitude has been refreshingly different. This stability in character has played a major role in building a united and focused RCB dressing room.
RCB’s Journey to the IPL 2025 Final Under Rajat Patidar’s Leadership
Patidar’s leadership journey began when he guided Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier in the domestic season. This experience seems to have sharpened his ability to read the game and manage team dynamics.
Backed by RCB’s trust and surrounded by senior players like Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, and Krunal Pandya, Patidar has built a leadership style based on trust and composure.
RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, also highlighted Patidar’s ability to listen and lead. “He uses the people around him really well,” Bobat said. “He leans on experienced players like Virat and Josh Hazlewood while staying incredibly calm himself.”
Despite losing key players like Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Bethell, and Devdutt Padikkal at different stages of the season, RCB kept fighting. They even struggled at home, winning just one game at their Bengaluru fortress. But their away-game dominance, including an epic eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, turned the tide.
Phil Salt’s explosive 56 off 27 balls sealed that crucial win, helping RCB chase down a target of 102 in just 10 overs. Their bowling, too, has been on point, dismissing PBKS for just 101 in 14.1 overs.
As RCB prepares for the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on June 3, fans are hopeful. Can Rajat Patidar become the first RCB captain to lift the trophy? The answer lies just one win away.
