Rajat Patidar, having just guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to back-to-back Indian Premier League titles in 2026, is ready to begin a new role at a new competition.
In a stellar IPL 2026 season, Patidar's calm leadership and match-winning performances helped RCB defend their title successfully, marking one of the most dominant title defences in recent IPL history. The Madhya Pradesh batsman has emerged as one of the most accomplished young captains in Indian cricket.
He was excellent both as captain and batter, propelling RCB to their 2nd IPL title. Patidar ended up scoring 500+ runs and also joined Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni as captains to win consecutive IPL titles.
Rajat Patidar to Lead New Team
Barely days after lifting the IPL trophy, Patidar returns to familiar
surroundings to captain a new team. He will be playing closer to home as he takes charge of Gwalior Cheetahs in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026.
The team, which reached the semi-finals in 2025 but narrowly missed the final, will kick off their 2026 campaign against Ujjain Falcons on Wednesday at Holkar Stadium in Indore.
A proud product of Madhya Pradesh cricket, Patidar played a key role in the state's historic Ranji Trophy triumph and has now established himself as a leader on the biggest stages. His return brings immense belief to a well-balanced squad featuring experienced players and exciting young talent.
Strong Squad & Support
The Cheetahs will once again be bolstered by Mangesh Yadav, the leading wicket-taker of the 2025 edition with 14 wickets. The team will continue to benefit from the guidance of head coach Aditya Srivastava, who captained Madhya Pradesh to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2022 after a 69-year wait.
"Congratulations to Rajat Patidar and RCB on a historic IPL triumph. Winning back-to-back titles as captain speaks volumes about his temperament, leadership and ability to bring the best out of a team. Having him return to lead the Gwalior Cheetahs gives the entire squad confidence and belief. We've built a strong group and are looking forward to challenging for the title. said Madhav Singhania, JKC Sports Co-founder.
"It's always a special feeling to come back and play in Madhya Pradesh. The last couple of months have been memorable, but every new tournament brings fresh challenges and motivation. The MPL has become an important platform for cricket in the state and I'm excited to represent the Gwalior Cheetahs. We have a talented squad that's hungry to succeed. Our focus is on playing positive cricket and bringing the trophy home," said Patidar.
The spotlight will be on the season opener as Patidar's Gwalior Cheetahs face a formidable Ujjain Falcons side led by young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, who had an impressive IPL 2026 season with Delhi Capitals.
