Patidar eyes a hat-trick after ‘best birthday gift’

Rajat Patidar couldn’t have wished for a greater birthday. The RCB captain, who turned 33 on Monday (Could 1, 2026), was all smiles as he sat beside the IPL trophy within the press convention room in Ahmedabad.

“It’s the greatest reward. Nothing might be higher than this — to win the IPL for two successive years,” Patidar stated. He added that whereas the workforce will rejoice the triumph, the main focus will shift to “how we will do three in a row”.

The Madhya Pradesh participant added that he has labored an excellent deal on his batting. The outcomes had been clear as Patidar seemed extra assertive and dominant on the crease.

“Earlier than coming into the IPL, I spent quite a lot of time understanding my batting. I did correct web classes. Generally, I used to be the one one at nets, and I wanted bowlers. After that, I communicated loads with D.Ok. bhai [RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik] about how I may do extra, set off moments, technical modifications, and many others. Then I got here right here and executed that,” Patidar stated.

Patidar acknowledged that he drew inspiration from Faf du Plessis, his first captain at RCB. “The way in which Faf du Plessis introduced himself, the physique language, the boldness — these are issues I learnt,” he stated.

Talking concerning the dominant present within the closing, Patidar defined that dismissing the Gujarat Titans’ top-order — Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler — early proved to be essential. “The GT batting line-up relies upon loads on the highest three batters. All three introduced them to the ultimate. We deliberate to get the highest three out within the PowerPlay. We did take two wickets. They went on the again foot from there. That modified the sport,” Patidar stated.