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Rajat Patidar makes some shocking revelations after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season. Patidar captained the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for title-winning stints, breaking an 18-year-long jinx. In an honest confession, the RCB skipper says that he actually did not want to join the franchise.
Over the years, RCB has signed multiple top-brass talents across the IPL seasons. But none of the acquisitions comes near the signing of Rajat Patidar. But he actually did not want to join the hands as the franchise wanted to utilize his talent only as a backup option.
Rajat Patidar joined RCB as a replacement
Patidar joined the IPL franchise in the 2022 IPL season as a mid-season replacement for the injured wicketkeeper Luvnith Sisodia. He was signed at his base price of INR 20 Lakh. Before and after securing his signing, the team management made it clear that he was there only as a replacement, not for a major role.
It was a demotivating situation for Rajat Patidar, as he wanted to join somewhere where he could play. At the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, that seemed far from his desire.
I never wanted to join the RCB: Patidar
“No, it’s true. I never wanted to join the RCB team. Because I had a feeling that they were calling me as a replacement. So, definitely, they will not give me a chance to play. I also got the same feedback when I joined. They clearly said that I have got a replacement,” Rajat Patidar said during a recent conversation.
“So, relax, chill. You will get a chance only if you are injured. Honestly, I did not want to join the team. The wedding date was also fixed. I also talked to many people in that situation. Because I was absolutely clear that I did not want to join. I do not want to sit on the bench and watch myself. I feel that if I am going there, I am going there to play. I do not want to sit there. So, I will not go. So, this was my mindset,” Patidar further explains.
🔴 HONESTLY, I DIDN’T WANT TO JOIN RCB – SHOCKING STATEMENT BY RAJAT PATIDAR 🤯
🎙️: I didn’t really want to rejoin RCB because I was told I was coming in as a replacement and would only get a chance if someone got injured. My wedding date was already fixed, and I don’t see… pic.twitter.com/Bc3ys3Txzc
— Sam (@cricsam02) June 7, 2026
Despite the adverse circumstances, Rajat Patidar provided himself with more than a backup talent, scoring 333 runs in 7 innings for a batting average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 153.75.
He missed the following IPL season entirely because of a severe Achilles heel injury. After an underwhelming season in 2024, in a surprising move, the RCB team management promoted him as the captain of the team. After that, there was no turning back for the Madhya Pradesh-born.
RCB creates history under the leadership of Patidar
Under his leadership, Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their first-ever league title, defeating Punjab Kings in the final of IPL 2025. In the following season, RCB played in a more confident way, in a more dominating way.
From the beginning to the end of the season, Patidar-led Bengaluru successfully defended their hard-earned title and became one of the few teams in the league that have multiple titles in their cabinets.
Read More: “Non-selection is justified”: S Badrinath makes blunt remark over Rajat Patidar’s India snub
