RCB fans must be feeling that familiar mix of excitement and fear again, because Rajat Patidar and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are back in IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans . And this time also,whole vibe from captain side is surprisingly calm.
In recent video shared by RCB,Patidar said,"It’s final,it’s a big stage, but for me I think it’s normal game." Honestly,that line says lot about how he is trying to handle pressure. Final at Narendra Modi Stadium is not small thing ah,but he clearly does not want team to get carried away emotionally.
And RCB are not entering this match like underdogs also. They are defending champions,they topped league standings,and they reached final after dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 . That kind of run gives confidence,but at same time,it brings extra burden also .
Patidar also looked back at last year and said, "Feeling great,back-to-back finals, and on same ground. There are a lot of memories of last year." Same ground,same final feeling,defending champions tag… all of this can either lift team or make players overthink.
Few things standing out clearly before final:
- RCB finished league stage with nine wins out of 14 matches.
- RCB reached final after dominant 92-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 .
- RCB can become only the third team to win back-to-back IPL trophies.
But tbh,Patidar’s biggest message seems to be about staying present. He said, "I always try to be more in the present. I don’t want to think too much ahead." Simple line,but in final atmosphere,this is probably hardest thing to actually do .
Head coach Andy Flower also seems to be pushing same idea of keeping things simple under pressure. He praised squad’s consistency and hard work,then said,"It takes a lot of hard work and thought and courage from the boys out here,in the middle,in games,and lot of nerve to top the table in this league. But there’s more to do, obviously."
And that “more to do” part is where whole story sits rn. RCB have done almost everything right in IPL 2026,team effort has carried them till final,and now one more match decides whether this season becomes another trophy memory or one painful almost-there chapter…
Because calmness sounds perfect before final,but once first ball is bowled at Narendra Modi Stadium,who really knows how pressure will behave…
