Rajat Patidar IPL 2025 Captaincy Journey Ending RCB 18 Year Drought
1. The 18-Year Wait Comes to an End
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the dream of winning an IPL trophy had remained just that—a dream—for 18 long years. The phrase “Ee Sala Cup Namde”, once filled with hope, had become a meme among cricket fans. But on a historic night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, under the leadership of new captain Rajat Patidar, RCB finally tasted IPL glory. They edged past Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in a thrilling final, sealing their first-ever IPL title in 2025.
2. Patidar’s Appointment – A Bold Yet Rewarding Call
After RCB parted ways with former captain Faf du Plessis post-IPL 2024, many believed that Virat Kohli would return to the helm. However, the franchise took a bold decision by appointing Rajat Patidar as captain—someone with no prior IPL captaincy experience. At 32, Patidar was seen as an underdog in the leadership race, but he silenced all doubters by guiding his team all the way to the top in his very first season as skipper.
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3. RCB’s Batting Struggles, But Kohli Steadies the Ship
RCB were put into bat first and found it difficult to set a dominant tone on a slightly tricky Ahmedabad wicket. Despite the pressure, Virat Kohli stood tall, anchoring the innings with a gritty 43 off 35 balls. Captain Rajat Patidar chipped in with a brisk 26 off 16, but couldn’t convert his start into a big score. Other batters struggled for momentum, and RCB eventually posted 190/9—a fighting total, but one that didn’t look unassailable.
4. Punjab Kings’ Bowling: Chahal and Jamieson Shine
PBKS’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Yuzvendra Chahal, bowling against his former team, delivered a smart spell with 1/37 in 4 overs, while Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 48. Their combined effort ensured RCB didn’t run away with a 200+ total, keeping Punjab in the contest going into the chase.
5. PBKS Start Well, But Middle-Order Collapse Hurts
Chasing 191 for glory, Punjab Kings got off to a promising start, reaching 52/1 in the powerplay. Impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh gave them early impetus, but once he fell to Krunal Pandya, the momentum began to shift. Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis tried to anchor the innings, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s double-strike in the 17th over—dismissing both batters within three balls—sealed the deal for RCB.
6. RCB Bowlers Hold Nerve in Final Overs
Despite a modest total, RCB bowlers kept their calm. Krunal Pandya applied the brakes in the middle overs with a crucial breakthrough, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience shone through in the death. His two wickets in one over were the turning point. PBKS couldn’t recover from the double blow and ended up falling short by 6 runs.
7. Celebrations Begin: The Cup is Finally Namde!
As the final ball was bowled and the six-run win confirmed, scenes of pure jubilation broke out in the RCB camp. Years of heartbreak, memes, and “almosts” were finally buried under the weight of this historic victory. Virat Kohli, the franchise’s most iconic player, lifted the trophy with Rajat Patidar—a symbolic moment for the fans who stood by their team for nearly two decades.
8. Patidar’s Leadership: Calm, Tactical, and Fearless
Rajat Patidar’s captaincy throughout the season was a revelation. He remained calm under pressure, backed his players fearlessly, and made smart tactical decisions—none more crucial than trusting Bhuvneshwar and Krunal in crunch overs. His own contributions with the bat may not have always been match-winning, but his leadership turned out to be the X-factor RCB had missed for years.
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9. A New Chapter Begins for RCB
This title win isn’t just a triumph—it’s the beginning of a new era for RCB. With a balanced team, a composed leader in Patidar, and seasoned match-winners like Kohli and Bhuvneshwar, RCB will now be seen as a force to reckon with in the seasons to come. The burden is finally off their shoulders, and the tag of “perennial underachievers” has been shed once and for all.
10. Conclusion: History Made, Legacy Secured
June 3, 2025, will forever be remembered by RCB fans as the night when pain turned into pride. From heartbreak in 2009, 2011, and 2016, to glory in 2025, the franchise has finally completed its arc. Rajat Patidar’s name is now etched in golden letters in the IPL history books, not just as a player—but as the captain who made RCB believe again.
