Anil Kumble Highlights Challenges for Rajat Patidar as RCB Targets Second IPL Trophy
Kumble says RCB captain Rajat Patidar will face a stern challenge to win consecutive IPL titles.
Former India captain Anil Kumble has highlighted the challenges facing Rajat Patidar as he leads Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) into the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, warning that defending their maiden title will come with heightened expectations.
Patidar, who succeeded Faf du Plessis as RCB captain ahead of the 2025 season, guided the team to its first-ever IPL trophy in Ahmedabad. With RCB opening their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, Kumble noted that winning back-to-back titles is difficult, pointing out that only Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have achieved consecutive IPL triumphs.
Kumble praised Patidar’s leadership, emphasizing his composure under pressure and smart utilization of the bowling resources. “He led really well, especially with the spinners stepping up. Now the challenge will be higher because expectations are on him, but his calmness is his USP,” Kumble said on JioStar. He also acknowledged that Patidar’s captaincy was initially surprising given the team’s former captain Virat Kohli, but his domestic experience with Madhya Pradesh helped him succeed.
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Addressing the team composition, Kumble suggested that Venkatesh Iyer may not feature in the starting XI initially, with Devdutt Padikkal and Suyash Sharma likely to retain their impact roles. He noted that Iyer remains a valuable squad member, capable of stepping in when needed, particularly as a left-handed batting option.
Kumble also highlighted RCB’s strong overseas lineup, with Romario Shepherd and Tim David expected to play key roles together. Other overseas players, including Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell, along with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will strengthen the team’s balance, provided they recover from injuries. Kumble emphasized that RCB’s batting is well-set, and the main concern will be the fitness and availability of the fast-bowling options.
With a blend of experienced international players, emerging domestic talents, and Patidar’s calm leadership, RCB aims to meet the high expectations as they look to defend their title in a highly competitive IPL season.
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