Don't have to defend the title… Rajat Patidar roared after the explosive start, said- will win the trophy again

New Delhi: Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidap, the Royal Challengers Bangalore team has started the Indian Premier League 2026 with a win. The team has defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in the first match of the tournament. Last season, under the captaincy of Patidar, RCB won the IPL title for the first time. After starting with a win like this, the captain of the defending team, Patidar, believes that he does not consider the team's campaign this season as a campaign to save the title.

He said in the press conference after the match, “We are not playing with the mentality that there is something to save. Whatever we did in 2025 is a thing of the past. This time again we are playing with the intention of giving our best performance to win the title. Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Jacob Duffy had important contributions in RCB's victory. Patidar said, “Kohli is number one in chasing the target. I have always liked his batting and it is great to watch him play from the dugout.

Virat Kohli is at the peak of his career- Patidar

He said, “Like coach Andy Flower, I also feel he is at the top of his game.” I don't have time to describe his innings. He is my idol and I have seen him play with the same energy and readiness in the nets. I am learning a lot by watching him bat in the nets.

Regarding Sunrisers' top three wicket-taker Duffy, he said, “He is a specialist T20 bowler and we have a lot of confidence in him.” The way he is playing, it is amazing.” The match between RCB and Sunrisers got off to an emotional start with a minute's silence observed in memory of the 11 fans killed in the stampede near the stadium last year.