Rajat Patidar over Shreyas Iyer? Big support to R Ashwin for RCB captaincy

R Ashwin’s big support for RCB skipper Rajat Patidar (Image: X) Rajat Patidar produced one of the best knocks of his IPL career in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans. The RCB skipper smashed a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls to power his team to 254/5 – the highest total in the history of the IPL playoffs. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Patidar after the innings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru marched into their second consecutive IPL final after crushing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala. Patidar was undoubtedly the star of the night as he smashed the GT bowling attack with a breathtaking innings full of fearless pull.The RCB skipper slammed nine sixes and five boundaries at a staggering 281.82. One of the highlights of his innings came when he got 28 runs in one over from Kulwant Khejroliya. However, the defining moment came in the 17th game against Kagiso Rabada. Just after bringing up his stunning 21-ball half-century, Patidar delivered a stunning back-footer at high pace outside the off-stump. Instead of defending, he stayed deep in the crease, opened his arms and with incredible power and timing fired the ball over the cover line.Ashwin called it the “shot of the day” and even suggested it could be the “shot of the tournament”.

Who do you think should be the best IPL captain after this performance?

“That six-over Rajat off Kagiso Rabada was the direct hit of the day, probably even a shot-of-the-tournament contender. How he managed to generate that kind of power is beyond me,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer was probably a bit ahead in the captaincy and batting conversation, but after tonight, Patidar is right up there,” Ashwin added.“We all know how good Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled the fast bowling today was seriously impressive as well. And those sixes he hit off Rashid Khan… I’ve seen very few batsmen who can get on the front foot, get straight to the pitch and still elevate Rashid over extra cover for a six like that. Pure class. The hour has come,” he added.