Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have added what feels like another huge chapter to their history, by winning the IPL 2026 title. It was basically their second championship in a row,so they became 2nd time winners in back-to-back seasons, which is not easy at all. After the final, captain Rajat Patidar talked about their team performance, how they prepared, and the backing that helped them get to the top once again.

RCB Become 2nd Time Winners in IPL 2026

Winning consecutive titles is a rare kind of achievement in the Indian Premier League. For RCB, the IPL 2026 victory felt a bit more personal, since it came after another solid campaign from the year before, you know.

Patidar said the win pulled the team back into the earlier title-winning memories. He called the whole moment emotional, and also something that would stay with the squad for a long time, plus he mentioned how they kept the same aggressive intent, along with a confident attitude, the exact mindset that had worked really well earlier.

He also touched on how expectations were naturally high this season. Still, the players stayed locked in and played with a sense of freedom through the tournament, no unnecessary pressure, sort of.

The Toss Decision That Shaped the RCB vs T Finals  

Why RCB Chose to Bowl First

• One of the biggest talking points from the RCB vs T finals was the toss call. In contrast to some more recent knockout games where captains often leaned towards batting first, RCB chose to bowl after winning the toss.
• Patidar explained that it was not random at all. It was clearly tied to the pre-match strategy. The team felt that chasing would be more convenient at that ground,so they stuck to the plan they had already discussed before the match.

The Plan to Target Gujarat’s Top Order

RCB went into the final with a specific intention. They wanted to remove Gujarat’s top-order batters early ,and then take control of the match from there

Patidar said the early wickets really felt like a crucial thing, like it set everything up, and when RCB put pressure on Gujarat’s top batters they were trying to squeeze the scoring chances a bit more. It was more about holding their position in the match, and not letting the opposition run away, even if it looked small on paper, it wasn’t.

Bowlers, played a major role in the final

Contributions from Bhuvneshwar , Josh and Rasikh

• Patidar then spoke about bowlers in a pretty direct way. He praised a few names for their season and for the final itself, and specifically called out Bhuvneshwar, Josh , and Rasikh. In his view they kept coming through, especially in those moments when the team most needed a breakthrough or just the right kind of control.
• He also stressed that their knack for building pressure, and then getting wickets, allowed RCB to follow through on their plans without getting rattled.

Collective Impact of the Bowling Unit

• Even while he named individual performers, Patidar made it clear it wasn’t one person’s show. Success, in his words, came from the whole bowling group. He credited the squad, basically every bowler, for doing their part across the tournament, not only in one game.
• That team-wide effort helped RCB keep a steady rhythm, and they could perform well in matches that mattered most.

Rajat Patidar’s Leadership Journey

Learning from Experience

Being the captain of a championship winning team was a big milestone for Patidar. He described it as a valuable experience, something that helped him mature as both a player and a captain, not just a title moment.

He added that the season still had plenty of challenges but the group stayed together and kept chasing their objectives, even when things got tricky.

Managing Expectations After the First Title

After the previous championship, expectations around RCB rose a lot. Patidar acknowledged that there was pressure from the outside, and still he believed the players handled it pretty smartly.

He said the squad stayed focused on enjoying their cricket, and staying locked into their plans, rather than letting “expectations” become the main topic.

Virat Kohli’s Influence on the Team

Support for Younger Players

Patidar, sort of gave special recognition to Virat Kohli for what he did for the team’s environment, and he said it in a way that felt pretty clear… but also kinda casual. He explained that some new players at the start felt hesitant, you know, to really express themselves within the group, like they were holding back in their own heads.

Then Kohli took the initiative to speak with them personally, and helped them feel more comfortable, not just by words but by that kind of presence. His support, encouraged the younger players to step in with confidence and contribute to the team’s success. Like, it’s not only about talent, it’s about setting the tone, apparently.

Leadership Beyond Captaincy

Even when he wasn’t in the captain’s role, Kohli still remained an influential force in the squad. Patidar pointed out that his energy on the field, plus the constant encouragement, had a really positive effect on teammates, all the way through the season.

Also, the experienced batter shared valuable advice with the group, and that advice helped players sharpen their performances, a lot more than people might expect.

Aggressive Cricket and Season-Long Preparation

Pre-Season Work and Team Approach

RCB’s success in IPL 2026 wasn’t just luck, it was preparation. Patidar said the team worked hard during pre-season training and they entered the tournament with a clear strategy, not something vague.

The squad wanted to play positive, aggressive cricket right from the opening match,and that same mindset stayed in place for the entire campaign. Like, once the plan was set, they didn’t really drift away.

Maintaining Form Throughout IPL 2026

Another big reason behind the championship run was the strong form of several players. Patidar noted that many members of the squad kept performing well across the season, consistently.

That reliability helped RCB keep momentum, and remain competitive in basically every stage of the tournament.

Fans Remain at the Heart of the Celebration

Patidar saved some of his strongest praise for the fans. He acknowledged the support RCB received throughout the season, saying that large numbers of supporters turned up for matches, wherever the team played.

According to the captain, the loyalty shown by fans played an important role in motivating the players. He said that no amount of appreciation could fully repay the support they received.

For that reason, Patidar dedicated the championship to the supporters once again, repeating the famous slogan: "Ee Sala Cup Namdu."