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Following the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season, Rajat Patidar made some shocking revelations about his journey with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Patidar, who famously captained the franchise to a historic title-winning stint that broke an 18-year-long championship jinx, offered an honest confession about his early days. Despite his monumental success as the RCB skipper, he revealed that he actually did not want to join the franchise in the beginning.
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Over the years, RCB has signed multiple top-brass talents across various IPL seasons, but none of those acquisitions have proved as impactful as the signing of Rajat Patidar. However, his initial reluctance stemmed from how the franchise viewed him. He was hesitant to join hands with the team because the management originally intended to utilize his talent only as a backup option.
'Thought they will not give me a chance to play': Rajat Patidar
Patidar first joined the franchise during the 2022 IPL season as a mid-season replacement for injured wicketkeeper Luvnith Sisodia, securing a contract at his base price of INR 20 Lakh. Both before and after locking in his signing, the team management made it explicitly clear to him that he was brought in strictly as a replacement player, rather than someone destined for a major role in the playing XI.
This transparency created a highly demotivating situation for Patidar, whose primary goal was to join a team where he could get consistent game time and showcase his skills. At the time, realizing his desire for a prominent playing role seemed far from possible at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“No, it's true. I never wanted to join the RCB team. Because I had a feeling that they were calling me as a replacement. So, definitely, they will not give me a chance to play. I also got the same feedback when I joined. They clearly said that I have got a replacement,” Patidar said.
"So, relax, chill. You will get a chance only if you are injured. Honestly, I did not want to join the team. The wedding date was also fixed. I also talked to many people in that situation. Because I was absolutely clear that I did not want to join. I do not want to sit on the bench and watch myself. I feel that if I am going there, I am going there to play. I do not want to sit there. So, I will not go. So, this was my mindset,” he added.
Patidar's exceptional leadership behind RCB's success
Patidar quickly proved he was far more than just a backup talent. He made an immediate impact for the franchise, scoring an impressive 333 runs in just 7 innings, maintaining a stellar batting average of 55.50 and an aggressive strike rate of 153.75.
Also Read: 'I am definitely happy...': Shreyas Iyer reacts after becoming India's T20I captain
However, his momentum was temporarily halted when he missed the entirety of the following IPL season due to a severe Achilles heel injury. Following a somewhat underwhelming return in the 2024 season, the RCB team management made the surprising and bold decision to promote him to team captain. From that moment on, there was no looking back for the Madhya Pradesh-born batter.
RCB finally created history under the aegis of Patidar by claiming their first-ever league title, defeating the Punjab Kings in a thrilling IPL 2025 final. The historic victory completely transformed the team's dynamics, setting the stage for an even more dominant run. In the subsequent 2026 season, RCB played with elevated confidence and absolute authority. From the very beginning to the end of the tournament, Patidar led Bengaluru in a successful defense of their hard-earned championship, firmly establishing RCB as one of the elite franchises with multiple titles in their trophy cabinet.
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