RCB vs GT: How has RCB captain Rajat Patidar fared in IPL Playoffs and Finals?

Rajat Patidar will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the second time in a row in an IPL final, as RCB face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 championship clash on Sunday (May 31).

Patidar has been a driving force for RCB this season as the defending champions have shown their class and mettle in yet another robust bid for an IPL title.

Rajat Patidar and IPL Playoffs

Rajat Patidar's meteoric rise from a replacement player to RCB captain and title-winner is one of IPL's fairy tales. Known for explosive batting and calm leadership, Patidar has shone in high-pressure scenarios, transforming Royal Challengers Bengaluru into contenders and delivering memorable knocks that fuel their championship pedigree.

Patidar burst into prominence with an unbeaten 112 off 54 in the 2022 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, which was the first century by an uncapped Indian in IPL playoffs.

This set the stage for his leadership role. Appointed captain ahead of 2025, he guided RCB to their first title. In the 2025 final versus Punjab Kings, Patidar contributed crucially as RCB defended 190/9 by 6 runs, with his all-round influence helping stabilize the middle order.

In the 2026 playoffs, Patidar elevated his game further. His blistering 93* off just 33 balls (strike rate 281+) in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans powered RCB to a record 254/5 - the highest IPL playoff total, securing a 92-run win and back-to-back finals.

Rajat Patidar Records in IPL Final

Rajat Patidar just played his solitary IPL final in 2025, and the RCB captain scored 29 runs off 16 deliveries in the match against Punjab Kings. He hit 1 four and 2 sixes in his knock.