Rajat Patidar’s breathtaking innings against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 has reignited the debate over the IPL’s standout captain-batter this season, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin declaring
that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper has now drawn level with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer in that discussion.
Patidar produced a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls to propel defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth 254/5 — the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match. RCB then crushed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Dharamsala to storm into a second consecutive IPL final.
The RCB captain dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack with fearless strokeplay, hammering nine sixes and five fours at a stunning strike rate of 281.82. One of the defining moments of his innings came against Kagiso Rabada, when Patidar, immediately after reaching his half-century, launched a ferocious back-foot six over cover.
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Ashwin was left in awe of Rajat Patidar‘s shot and described it as one of the best of the tournament.
“That backfoot six Rajat hit off Kagiso Rabada was straight-up shot of the day, probably even a contender for shot of the tournament. How he even managed to generate that power from there is beyond me,” Ashwin was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
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Breathtaking Batting 🤯
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The veteran spinner also felt Patidar’s remarkable display had reshaped the discussion around the season’s best captain and batter.
“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer was probably a bit ahead in the captaincy and batting conversations, but after tonight, Patidar is right up there,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin further praised Patidar’s quality against both spin and pace, especially his aggressive approach against Rashid Khan.
“We all know how good Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled fast bowling today was seriously impressive too. And those sixes he hit off Rashid Khan… I’ve seen very few batters who can get onto the front foot, get right to the pitch of the ball, and still loft Rashid over extra cover for six like that. Pure class. Cometh the man, cometh the hour,” he said.
Patidar’s rise has mirrored RCB’s transformation over the past two seasons. Appointed captain in 2025, he guided the franchise to its maiden IPL title and now stands one win away from leading them to back-to-back championships.
