A year ago, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally climbed their Everest.
After 18 years of heartbreak, near-misses and jokes at their expense, they lifted their maiden IPL trophy. But what should have been the happiest moment in the franchise’s history turned into a tragedy that left Bengaluru mourning. A victory parade led to a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last year.
On Sunday night in Ahmedabad, as RCB became only the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to successfully defend an IPL title, captain Rajat Patidar made sure those 11 supporters were not forgotten. “We dedicate this trophy to our fans, actually not fans, family members, who passed away in the tragedy last year,” Patidar said after RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final.
RCB hasn’t forgotten
It was a powerful statement from the RCB captain, who told the world that RCB hasn’t forgotten. Instead of overdoing celebration, Patidar chose to remember the supporters whose lives were lost in the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, a day after RCB ended their 18-year title drought.
Thousands had gathered for a felicitation ceremony as the team returned home with the trophy. The crowd swelled beyond capacity, entry points became overwhelmed and a crush developed outside the venue. Eleven people lost their lives while several others were injured, leaving a permanent scar on what should have been the greatest day in the franchise’s history.
Throughout IPL 2026, RCB made a conscious effort to honour those victims. Players wore black armbands in their opening match, observed a minute’s silence and trained in jerseys carrying the number 11. The franchise also kept 11 seats vacant at the Chinnaswamy Stadium throughout the season as a mark of respect. Now, one year later, they have another trophy to dedicate to them.
To whomsoever it may concern 2.0 pic.twitter.com/E0eMTnjQ5g
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 31, 2026Birthday boy Patidar joins Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni in elite club
The 33-year-old became just the third captain in IPL history after Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni to win back-to-back championships. Remarkably, he has done it in his first two seasons as captain. It was extra special for Patidar, who enjoys his birthday today (June 1).
“It feels really good. It is the best gift because it is my birthday today, so it cannot be better than this,” Patidar said. For someone whose IPL journey didn’t start on a traditional note, it was another remarkable chapter.
Patidar was bought by RCB for ₹20 lakh in 2021 before being released. He returned in 2022 as an injury replacement and announced himself with an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator, becoming the first uncapped player to score a century in the IPL playoffs.
A serious Achilles injury then ruled him out of the entire 2023 season. He fought back in 2024, scored 395 runs and was eventually entrusted with the captaincy ahead of IPL 2025. Two seasons later, he has two trophies.
Rajat Patidar’s journey at RCB
SeasonAchievement2021Signed by RCB for ₹20 lakh before getting released2022Signed as injury replacement, scored 112* in Eliminator vs LSG2023Missed season due to Achilles injury2024Scored 395 runs at SR 177.132025Became captain and won maiden IPL title2026Led RCB to second consecutive IPL titleBirthday boy takes home his gift. pic.twitter.com/03FUxaWha2
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 1, 2026RCB eye IPL hat-trick!
If anyone expected Patidar to get carried away after becoming a back-to-back champion, they were disappointed. Moments after completing history, the RCB captain was already looking ahead.
“But I try to stay in the present. We now have to focus on how we can do three in a row,” Patidar said. “We will celebrate today, but then focus moves on again.”
That mindset says a lot. It explains why RCB have changed from a franchise once dependent on individual brilliance into the most complete team in the IPL. Patidar repeatedly credited the culture created by head coach Andy Flower and director of cricket Mo Bobat, insisting that the biggest change has been the mindset within the dressing room.
“The coaching staff deserves full credit. They treat every player equally, whether experienced or new. That is the biggest change I see.”
The results back that up.
RCB finished as champions in 2025 and 2026 despite not having the most expensive squad or the most glamorous names. Instead, they built a team around clearly defined roles, trusted experienced players such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, and created an environment where everyone knew their job. Patidar himself enjoyed his best IPL season with the bat, scoring 501 runs and smashing 42 sixes.
Rajat Patidar dedicates RCB’s IPL 2026 win to Bengaluru stampede victims but eyes doing three-peat Inside Sport India.
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