Rajat Patidar led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first IPL final since 2016 on May 29, 2025. Photo: BCCI/IPL
Rajat Patidar achieved a major career milestone on Thursday as he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first Indian Premier League (IPL) final since 2016. In doing so, he became only the fifth Indian captain to qualify for the IPL final in his debut season as captain. Prior to Patidar, MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya had achieved this feat.
Patidar’s decision to bowl first in Qualifier 1 after winning the toss turned out to be a masterstroke, as their opponents Punjab Kings - the league leaders - were bowled out for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs. It marked a new low in IPL history at their home venue, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma ripped through the PBKS batting line-up, picking up three wickets each, while Yash Dayal chipped in with a brace.
Chasing the target of 102 runs, RCB won the match by 8 wickets with 10 overs to spare, with Philip Salt scoring 27-ball 56. Virat Kohli (12 off 12 balls) and Mayank Agarwal (19 off 13 balls) were the only wickets to fall, claimed by Kyle Jamieson and Musheer Khan respectively. The win helped RCB break their nine-year wait for a place in the final.
For Patidar, it was a unique record as he joined the elite list of Indian cricketers who powered their teams to the IPL final in their first season as captain. Earlier, MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya had attained this feat.
Dhoni was the first Indian cricketer to reach the IPL final in his debut year as captain. He led the Chennai Super Kings to the 2008 IPL final, where they lost to Rajasthan Royals. In 2009, Anil Kumble led RCB to the final but lost in the summit clash.
Rohit Sharma, in his first year as Mumbai Indians captain in 2013, won the IPL title. Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, led Gujarat Titans to an IPL title win in their maiden season in 2022.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will get a second shot at the IPL 2025 final. As the losers of the first qualifier, they are now eligible to play in Qualifier 2, where they will face the winners of the Eliminator to be played between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians on Friday.
The IPL 2025 final will be played on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Indians who reached IPL final in their first year as captain:
MS Dhoni (CSK) – 2008
Anil Kumble (RCB) – 2009
Rohit Sharma (MI) – 2013
Hardik Pandya (GT) – 2022
Rajat Patidar (RCB) – 2025
Players who led RCB to IPL final
Anil Kumble – 2009
Daniel Vettori – 2011
Virat Kohli – 2016
Rajat Patidar – 2025
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