Former Team India spinner Murali Kartik applauded Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar after the team’s IPL 2026 triumph. They won back-to-back titles with a thumping five-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final in Ahmedabad on May 31 as well.

Talking about Rajat Patidar’s captaincy stint with RCB, Kartik told Cricbuzz: “As soon as he lands in Bengaluru, there is going to be a huge statue of him somewhere. For him to lead a Virat and other international stars and hold his own itself is something. He has handled everything that comes with being an IPL captain with ease. He is a man of few words, but he looks decisive, assured, and calm at all times. To be compared to the pantheons of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, is brilliant.”

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Meanwhile, former Team India pacer Zaheer Khan applauded Rajat Patidar for speaking his mind and being vocal, even if it means criticising his own team as well. However, Zaheer also said that Patidar’s own batting and strike rate have helped in his leadership methods as well.

“The impact he has made in the middle phase with his strike rate has helped him as a leader to convey the message and inspire the whole group. RCB’s variety in the bowling attack has helped him achieve what he wanted to in this journey. He also doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind and is vocal whenever needed. He calls a spade a spade,” said Zaheer Khan.