Rajat Patidar Gets Ahead Of Shreyas Iyer For India Captaincy And Batting – Rajat Patidar Emerges as Elite Leader: Ashwin Backs RCB Star Over Shreyas Iyer
A New Chapter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The landscape of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has witnessed a seismic shift following the heroics of Rajat Patidar during Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. On May 26, RCB delivered a masterclass against the Gujarat Titans, setting the stage for a potential second consecutive title. Central to this success was Patidar, whose explosive batting and tactical acumen have drawn significant comparisons to some of the country’s most prominent cricketing figures.
The Dharamshala Masterclass
Opting to bowl first, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill looked to capitalize on the venue’s chasing reputation. However, RCB’s batting lineup executed a counter-offensive of clinical precision. Venkatesh Iyer provided a rapid start with 19 off just 7 balls, followed by Virat Kohli’s elegant 43 off 25. Devdutt Padikkal maintained the pressure with a brisk 30, but it was the arrival of Rajat Patidar that truly defined the innings.
Patidar’s unbeaten 93 off 33 balls was nothing short of extraordinary. Striking at a rate of 281.82, he smashed five boundaries and nine sixes, leading RCB to a monumental 254/5—the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match. The onslaught included a brutal 28-run over against Kulwant Khejroliya and a breathtaking backfoot six against Kagiso Rabada that left onlookers in awe.
Ashwin’s High Praise
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, analyzing the performance on his show ‘Ash ki Baat’, was quick to highlight the significance of the knock. Ashwin labeled the backfoot six against Rabada as the ‘shot of the day’ and potentially the ‘shot of the tournament’. He marveled at the sheer power generation from such a difficult position, noting that Patidar’s ability to dominate fast bowling has reached a new, elite level.
Beyond the raw power, Ashwin addressed the evolution of Patidar’s career, specifically drawing a comparison with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer. Ashwin stated, “Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer was probably a bit ahead in the captaincy and batting conversations, but after tonight, Patidar is right up there. We all know how good Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled fast bowling today was seriously impressive.”
Leadership and Tactical Acumen
Ashwin further praised Patidar’s ability to take on elite bowlers, highlighting his success against Rashid Khan. Seeing a batter consistently reach the pitch of the ball against a world-class spinner and loft him over extra cover for six is, in Ashwin’s words, “pure class.” This combination of technical finesse and fearlessness has clearly elevated Patidar’s standing in the eyes of cricket experts.
The Road to History
Following their 92-run victory, RCB has officially booked their spot in the IPL 2026 final, scheduled for May 31 in Ahmedabad. The team stands on the precipice of history; should they secure the trophy, they will become only the third franchise in league history—joining the illustrious company of Chennai Super Kings (2010-2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019-2020)—to successfully defend an IPL title. With momentum firmly on their side and a captain in the form of his life, RCB appears perfectly poised to cement their legacy as one of the most dominant dynasties in the tournament’s history.
As the anticipation builds for the final, one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding India’s top leadership candidates has changed. Rajat Patidar has not only delivered a career-defining performance but has also forced the cricketing world to rethink the hierarchy of modern Indian batting talent.
