Rajat Patidar’s sensational knock against the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 has reignited the debate around the season’s best captain-batter, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper now stands alongside Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer in that conversation. Patidar delivered one of the finest innings of the IPL 2026 season, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 254 for five — the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history.

RCB later crushed the Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Dharamsala to book their place in a second consecutive IPL final. The RCB captain completely dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack with fearless strokeplay, hammering nine sixes and five boundaries at an extraordinary strike rate of 281.82. One of the standout moments of the innings came when Patidar launched Kagiso Rabada over cover for a stunning back-foot six immediately after bringing up his half-century.

Ravichandran Ashwin admitted he was left stunned by the shot and described it as one of the best he has seen this season. “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 said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

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The veteran off-spinner also believes Patidar’s latest performance has significantly changed the conversation surrounding the IPL’s top captain-batter this season.

“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer was probably slightly ahead in the captaincy and batting discussions, but after tonight, Patidar is right up there,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.

Ashwin further praised Patidar’s ability against both spin and pace, especially the confidence he showed against Rashid Khan during the middle overs.

“We already know how strong Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled fast bowling was equally impressive. Very few batters can get to the pitch of Rashid Khan and still hit him over extra cover for six like that. Pure class,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.

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Patidar’s rise has mirrored RCB’s transformation over the last two seasons. Since taking over the captaincy in 2025, he has guided the franchise to its maiden IPL title and now sits just one win away from leading Bengaluru to back-to-back championships.