Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar has shared an interesting insight about his leadership journey with the team. As RCB prepares for the IPL 2026 season, Patidar revealed that wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma helped him the most during his captaincy.
RCB will begin their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Patidar Led RCB to Historic IPL 2025 Title
Rajat Patidar was appointed captain of RCB after the IPL 2024 mega auction, taking over from Faf du Plessis. In his first season as captain, he guided the team to a memorable IPL 2025 title.
RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final to win their first IPL trophy after 18 years. The victory made Patidar one of the most talked-about captains in the league.
| Season | Captain | Result |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Rajat Patidar | Champions |
Jitesh Sharma Played Key Role in Patidar’s Leadership
Ahead of the new season, Patidar explained that Jitesh Sharma’s input helped him the most during matches.
Since Sharma keeps wickets, he has a clear view of the field and the bowlers. This allows him to suggest field placements and bowling plans during the game.
Patidar said the team has many experienced players, but Sharma’s perspective from behind the stumps made his advice very valuable.
Also See : Virat Kohli Shows Explosive Form in RCB Practice Matches Ahead of IPL 2026
Strong Leadership Group in the RCB Dressing Room
RCB’s dressing room includes several experienced players who contribute ideas during matches.
| Player | Role in Team |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Senior batter |
| Krunal Pandya | All-rounder |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Fast bowler |
| Phil Salt | Batter |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper |
Patidar said he listens to suggestions from all of them and uses their experience to make better decisions on the field.
Patidar’s Captaincy Style
Patidar also explained that he prefers to follow his instincts while leading the team.
Instead of making big changes every season, he reviews his mistakes with the coaching staff and focuses on improving step by step.
According to him, leadership should feel natural and not forced.
Rajat Patidar and Aryaman Vikram Birla Reunion
There is also an interesting connection between Rajat Patidar and Aryaman Vikram Birla this season.
Both players were once teammates in the Madhya Pradesh domestic team and even opened the batting together in Ranji Trophy matches.
Now they are reunited in the IPL, but in different roles.
| Name | Current Role |
|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | Captain of RCB |
| Aryaman Vikram Birla | Chairman of RCB |
Aryaman Vikram Birla became chairman of the franchise after a record purchase of the team by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group.
RCB will enter IPL 2026 with confidence after winning the title last season.
Rajat Patidar will once again lead the team, supported by experienced players and strong guidance from teammates like Jitesh Sharma.
The opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 will be the first big test of the new season.
