IPL 2025 | 'Rajat Patidar has been the biggest eye-opener for me in life': RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik

Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik has showered praise on skipper Rajat Patidar for how he maintained his down-to-earth demeanour even after becoming the captain of the side, stating that the 32-year-old "has been exactly the same that he was before becoming the captain."

Ahead of the IPL 2025, RCB stunned everyone by naming Patidar as captain. This is his first time leading an IPL team, while his previous leadership experience was leading Madhya Pradesh to the final of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"Rajat Patidar has been the biggest eye-opener for me in life. Because when people suddenly get a little bit of adulation, power, they tend to change. It's normal. Their behavioural pattern, the way they interact. Somewhere, something will show. But with Rajat Patidar, what a guy he is. For someone who is a captain of RCB, and today he calls the shots, he has been exactly the same that he was before becoming the captain, Rajat," said Karthik on the second episode of RCB's Journey to the Finale.

RCB have stormed into the IPL final after nine long years following a clinical eight-wicket win against Punjab Kings. Their bowling unit came together to dish out an absolute masterclass, bowling out the PBKS for just 101 in 14.1 overs.

Director of Cricket Mo Bobat also spoke on Patidar's composed approach and collaborative leadership style and said, "I think one of the most impressive things that Rajat has shown is that, and he does this as a personality and character anyway, anyone who knows him knows he's incredibly calm.

"And it's been good to see him use the people around him, whether that's Jitesh [Sharma] as vice-captain, or Virat [Kohli] as a senior player, Krunal [Pandya] as another senior player, or even someone like Josh Hazlewood."

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever