‘Rajat Patidar got quite annoyed with me….’: RCB boss shares dressing-room sto – Rajat Patidar’s Evolution: How a ‘Spin-Basher’ Label Fueled RCB’s Star Captain

The Rise of a Franchise Leader

In the high-pressure environment of the IPL 2026 playoffs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) found their hero in captain Rajat Patidar. His sensational innings in Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans not only secured a vital win but also cemented RCB’s spot in the final. However, the journey to becoming such a dominant force was not overnight. It required a shift in mindset, triggered by an unlikely source: a comment from his own Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat.

The ‘Spin-Basher’ Motivation

Following the victory, Mo Bobat shared a revealing anecdote from the previous season. Bobat had once labeled Patidar a ‘spin-basher’—a comment meant as a compliment to his prowess against slow bowlers. Instead of taking it as praise, Patidar was reportedly quite annoyed. The skipper seemingly took the remark as a challenge, interpreting it as an implication that his game was one-dimensional. The result? A concerted effort to prove the doubters wrong and evolve into a batter capable of dismantling any bowling attack, regardless of the conditions.

“I remember at some point last season I called him a spin-basher and I think he got a bit annoyed with me because I was implying it was only spin. He’s probably trying to prove a point to me now,” Bobat admitted during the post-match press conference.

Mastery Over All Conditions

The numbers speak for themselves. In IPL 2026, Patidar has emerged as the franchise’s second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 483 runs at an aggressive strike rate of 196.76. His ability to middle the ball—whether against raw pace or tricky spin, off the front foot or back—has become his trademark. Bobat attributes this success to Patidar’s rigorous work ethic alongside veterans like Dinesh Karthik and coach Andy Flower.

“One thing about Rajat is he middles the ball a lot. He’s got really sound basics and a fearless intent. We’ve tried hard over the last couple of years to make that the identity of our team,” Bobat added.

Strategic Maturity: The New Patidar

While his boundary-hitting ability often steals the headlines, the most significant leap in Patidar’s game is his newfound tactical intelligence. In Qualifier 1, after a strong start, RCB lost a few quick wickets. Rather than panicking, Patidar anchored the innings, starting cautiously with 16 runs off 11 balls before shifting gears to dismantle the Gujarat Titans’ bowlers.

Bobat highlights this adaptability as the hallmark of a world-class player. “One of the things he’s done really well this year is picking his moments. He absorbed pressure initially and then went through the gears. That takes real discipline and sophistication in your thinking.”

Looking Ahead

As Patidar continues to lead by example, his consistency has sparked widespread conversation about a potential call-up to the India T20I side. His captaincy, characterized by aggressive intent and calm decision-making, has provided RCB with the stability needed to make a deep run in the tournament. With the final on the horizon, the ‘spin-basher’ of yesterday has indisputably evolved into the complete, elite T20 batter of today, ready to take on the biggest stage in Indian cricket.

The transformation is complete, and if his recent form is anything to go by, the best of Rajat Patidar is still yet to come.