New Delhi
Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock has labelled Rajat Patidar as the greatest leader in the history of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, putting him above iconic names such as Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.
RCB are enjoying a dominant run in IPL 2026, with six wins from eight matches and sitting firmly among the top contenders for a playoff berth. The defending champions continue to look strong across departments under Patidar’s leadership.
Pollock said Patidar’s immediate impact as captain—culminating in RCB’s maiden IPL title in 2025—sets him apart from all previous leaders the franchise has had.
“He would go down as the greatest RCB captain. Just straight out—the fact that in his first year as captain he took them to the title. This year, they are basically there already, and you can’t see them losing that many games and not qualifying for the playoffs again,” Pollock said.
RCB’s long wait for an IPL trophy ended under Patidar, who took over the leadership reins in 2025 and guided the team to a historic championship win. The achievement came after years of near-misses under several high-profile captains.
Pollock further praised the consistency and stability Patidar has brought to the team, noting that RCB now play with a clearer structure and calmness in pressure situations.
“But to have taken over a franchise that had gone so long without winning and then deliver at that level—to get a trophy under your belt—it looks like you are heading for one and two again. At the moment, he is the GOAT,” he added.
The RCB leadership group has also earned praise from within the camp. Batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik recently highlighted Patidar’s composed nature and tactical clarity, noting the strong support system around him, including senior players like Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Karthik said Patidar’s simplicity and calm decision-making have helped him manage high-pressure moments effectively, making him a respected figure in the dressing room. RCB currently sit second in the IPL 2026 points table and remain strong contenders for another title push under their new-era skipper