Ravichandran Ashwin compares Rajat Patidar-Virat Kohli relationship to Ramayan as RCB wins 2026 title
A Testament to Selfless Leadership
The IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be remembered not just for the clinical display of cricket, but for the fascinating leadership chemistry displayed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). As the team successfully defended their title with a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans, the focus shifted to the unique dynamic between skipper Rajat Patidar and the legendary Virat Kohli. In a compelling analysis, Ravichandran Ashwin compares Rajat Patidar-Virat Kohli relationship to Ramayan a defining moment of trust and mutual respect within the RCB dressing room.
The Ramayan Analogy Explained
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin provided a deep dive into the team huddle moments before the final. The veteran spinner observed that while Patidar held the captaincy, he consciously allowed Kohli to take the mantle of leadership and motivation. This gesture, according to Ashwin, mirrored a classic cultural archetype of devotion and shared purpose.
“Even ahead of today’s match, it was Virat talking in the huddle. The partnership is like, ‘Big brother, you take care of the team, I’m just the captain.’ You run this team, but I will just be the leader. Like what Bharat did with Ram’s slippers in Ramayan, Rajat did that here. The way Virat was talking, Rajat Patidar was watching him with the team, literally giving that space to Virat,” Ashwin remarked.
Kohli’s Eternal Influence
Ashwin emphasized that Virat Kohli’s impact on a team transcends the official title of captain. Regardless of the leadership hierarchy, Kohli remains the focal point of intensity and strategy. “Virat Kohli is an alpha in a team, and he will always remain an alpha. Even if he is not captaining, he will remain the alpha,” Ashwin noted. This observation was validated on the field, where Kohli delivered a masterclass, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls to guide RCB to a comfortable win. His IPL 2026 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, accumulating 675 runs at an average of 56.25.
Tactical Mastery and the Only Flaw
While the victory was dominant, the match wasn’t without its analytical nuances. RCB’s road to success involved chasing a target of 156 after restricting the Gujarat Titans to 155/8. Ashwin was quick to praise the tactical discipline shown by the bowlers but pointed out one critical error in their approach.
“RCB’s first and only mistake in the match was giving the first over to Jacob Duffy. They did not make any mistakes after that. Jacob Duffy gave 13 runs,” Ashwin explained. Despite that rocky start, the bowling unit recovered brilliantly. Rasikh Dar Salam was the star of the show with figures of 3/27, supported well by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who provided essential breakthroughs to keep the Titans under pressure throughout the innings.
A Legacy Cemented
The 2026 IPL final marked a historic milestone for RCB as they secured back-to-back trophies. The synergy between a calm, supportive leader like Patidar and the high-octane competitive spirit of Kohli appears to be the winning formula for the Bengaluru side. This culture of placing the team above individual ego has clearly paid dividends, creating an environment where players like Tim David and others can thrive alongside established stars. As the dust settles on another successful season, the cricketing world continues to marvel at the depth of character shown by RCB’s leadership core—a bond that has proven to be the backbone of their recent dominance in the tournament.
