Rajat Patidar Gets Ahead Of Shreyas Iyer For India Captaincy And Batting – Rajat Patidar Overtakes Shreyas Iyer: Ashwin Praises RCB Captain’s IPL 2026 Heroics

The Rise of Rajat Patidar in IPL 2026

In the high-stakes environment of the IPL 2026 playoffs, individual brilliance often dictates the trajectory of a franchise. During the Qualifier 1 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, one name stood out above the rest: Rajat Patidar. His captaincy and explosive batting performance did not just secure a victory; it sparked a wider conversation about his standing among India’s top cricket talents.

A Record-Breaking Display at Dharamshala

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl, aiming to leverage the chasing advantages of the Dharamshala surface. However, the RCB batting lineup had different plans. Determined to post a total that would put the game out of reach, RCB’s top order played with immense intent. Venkatesh Iyer set the tone with a rapid 19 off 7 balls, followed by valuable contributions from Virat Kohli (43 off 25) and Devdutt Padikkal (30 off 19).

The centerpiece of the innings, however, was captain Rajat Patidar. In a masterclass of T20 hitting, Patidar smashed 93 not out off just 33 balls. His innings was decorated with five fours and nine massive sixes. Supported by Krunal Pandya’s 43 and Jitesh Sharma’s late cameo, RCB reached a monumental 254/5—the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match.

The Tactical and Technical Brilliance

Ravichandran Ashwin, in his analysis on his YouTube show ‘Ash ki Baat’, could not hide his admiration for Patidar’s technique. The highlight was a spectacular backfoot six off Kagiso Rabada in the 17th over, which Ashwin labeled the ‘shot of the day’ and a potential ‘shot of the tournament.’ Patidar’s ability to generate immense power from a defensive position against a world-class pacer highlighted his evolution as a complete batter.

Furthermore, Patidar’s dominance against spin, particularly his ability to loft Rashid Khan over extra cover by getting to the pitch of the ball, showcased his technical depth. Ashwin noted that while he had previously placed Shreyas Iyer at the forefront of discussions regarding elite captaincy and batting, Patidar’s recent performance has brought him level, if not ahead, in those assessments.

GT’s Collapse and RCB’s Path to History

The pressure of chasing a record total proved insurmountable for the Gujarat Titans. Despite brief sparks from Jos Buttler and a valiant 68 from Rahul Tewatia, the GT innings crumbled against a disciplined RCB bowling attack. Jacob Duffy led the charge with 3/39, while Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two wickets apiece, restricting GT to 162 all out.

This 92-run victory catapulted RCB into the IPL 2026 final, scheduled for May 31 in Ahmedabad. Should RCB emerge victorious in the final, they will achieve the rare feat of winning back-to-back IPL titles, a milestone currently held only by the Chennai Super Kings (2010-2011) and the Mumbai Indians (2019-2020).

The Verdict on Leadership

The comparison drawn by Ashwin between Patidar and Shreyas Iyer serves as a testament to the growth of the RCB skipper. Leadership in the IPL requires not just tactical acumen but also the ability to lead by example under extreme pressure. With this knock, Patidar has proven that he possesses the mettle to handle both the expectations of leadership and the physical demands of high-intensity batting. As the cricket world turns its eyes to the final, all eyes will be on whether Patidar can guide his team into the history books.