Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially etched their name into IPL folklore by pulling off one of the most difficult feats in modern cricket: successfully defending their IPL crown. By clinical execution in the final, RCB secured back-to-back championships following their maiden triumph in 2025. This monumental victory elevates them into an exclusive tier of elite franchises alongside the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to retain the coveted trophy.
For a franchise that spent nearly two decades navigating the heavy pressure of unfulfilled expectations, this dramatic shift from perpetual contenders to a dominant dynasty is nothing short of extraordinary. At the heart of this gold standard transformation is the inspired, calm, and fearless leadership of their captain, Rajat Patidar.
Sachin Tendulkar applauds Rajat Patidar’s captaincy masterclass following consecutive IPL title wins
When RCB handed the captaincy to Patidar ahead of the 2025 season, it was widely viewed as a massive gamble. Patidar was known as a brilliant, clutch batter but lacked the extensive marquee leadership pedigree typically required by a high-pressure franchise like Bengaluru. Two years later, that gamble has transformed into arguably the greatest executive decision in the franchise’s history. Patidar has not only delivered blistering, aggressive performances with the bat but has also cultivated a cool, unflappable demeanour under immense pressure.
This masterclass in leadership caught the eye of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. Dissecting RCB’s historic run, Tendulkar took to social media to highlight how Patidar’s unique captaincy style reshaped the entire team’s psychology.
“Every successful team develops an identity over the course of a campaign. RCB’s identity seemed to be built around shared responsibility, Rajat Patidar led from the front right through, but just as importantly, he helped create an environment where others could do the same. That balance between leadership and contribution was an important factor in their run,” Tendulkar shared on Reddit.
Under Patidar, RCB shed its old reliance on individual brilliance. Instead, they built an inclusive, resilient team culture where young uncapped players and seasoned internationals alike stepped up to win crucial moments, making them an unstoppable force in the playoffs.
Tendulkar pinpoints the key factors behind Punjab Kings’ playoff collapse
While RCB mastered the art of peaking at the right time, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) experienced the harsh, volatile realities of tournament momentum. Punjab was the undisputed story of the tournament’s first half, lighting up the league with an explosive, high-risk brand of cricket. They went entirely unbeaten in their first seven matches, commanding the points table with six wins and a draw.
However, their dream campaign suffered a catastrophic collapse. In the second half of the season, the Kings completely lost their way, scraping together just a single victory from their final seven league games, a heartbreaking slump that knocked them out of playoff contention. Tendulkar provided a profound analytical breakdown of where PBKS faltered, pointing out a psychological shift in their camp.
“Punjab Kings brought wonderful energy to the tournament. Their cricket was positive, brave and often game-changing. Eventually, in such a fast-moving tournament it boils down to process and not getting attached to results. Punjab focused more on process in the first half and more on results in the second,” Tendulkar observed.
As the pressure of securing a playoff spot intensified, PBKS began playing with a fear of losing rather than the uninhibited freedom that defined their early success. This tactical and mental rigidity ultimately cost them the season, serving as a stark contrast to Patidar’s RCB, who trusted their process implicitly to deliver back-to-back glory.
