The final match of IPL 2026 will see the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) up against Gujarat Titans (GT). Prior to the match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the RCB skipper Rajat Patidar issued a significant statement.

Just before the final, Rajat Patidar was asked about his return to the Indian T20 team. The RCB captain stated clearly, "I am not waiting for any selection related to the Indian team, so I don't expect it either." This season, Patidar has once again performed brilliantly. He scored 486 runs in 13 innings across 14 matches at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 196.76, including five half-centuries. Not only did he play an aggressive batting role, but he also made balanced captaincy decisions, leading RCB to their second consecutive IPL final.

When asked if he ever envisioned himself as the captain of the Indian T20 team, Patidar responded with a composed tone, "I don't envision myself as India's T20 captain. But yes, every captain wants to win the trophy. We won last year, but now it's a new season. Forget about 2025, let's focus on what's right now. We have to do what we have to do."

RCB is entering this final with immense confidence. Over the past few seasons, the team has been one of the most consistent teams in the IPL. Patidar believes that this success cannot be attributed to just one or two players. He said, "Earlier, the team used to rely on one or two players, but now every player understands their responsibility as soon as they step on the field. The word 'responsibility' is on every player's mind today."

He added, "The desire to do something for the team and the belief that we are here not to play in the qualifiers, but to win the final, is what has changed the mindset." Despite winning the trophy last year, the team's attitude hasn't changed at all. The Patidars don't see themselves as defending champions, but as a new challenger."