Ravichandran Ashwin used a reference from Ramayana to explain the relationship between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli. Ashwin said that Patidar allowing Kohli to take charge of the team before the IPL 2026 final showed the trust between the two players.
The final of IPL 2026 was played on Sunday, May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans (GT). Chasing the target of 156 runs, RCB completed the target in 18 overs to lift the IPL trophy for the second consecutive time.
Big Brother, you take care of the team – Ravichandran Ashwin on Virat Kohli’s role in RCB
Ravichandran Ashwin, while talking on his YouTube channel, praised the relationship between Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli. The experienced spinner said that Kohli took the responsibility of motivating the team ahead of the final, while Patidar gave him the space to lead the group.
“Even before today’s match, Virat was talking in the crowd. The partnership is like, ‘Big brother, you take care of the team, I am just the captain.’ You run this team, but I will just be the leader. Just like Bharat did with Ram’s slippers in Ramayana, Rajat did the same here. The way Virat was talking, Rajat Patidar was watching him with the team, he was really giving that space to Virat.
Kohli gave a match-winning performance in the final. The opener remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls and brought up his half-century in just 25 balls, helping RCB chase down the chase with ease along with Tim David.
The former RCB captain enjoyed a great IPL 2026 season. Kohli finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. He also recorded five half-centuries and a highest score of 105*.
Virat Kohli is the alpha in a team – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin talked about Virat Kohli’s presence and influence within the team. The veteran spinner said that Kohli naturally deserves respect and whether he has the captaincy or not, he remains a leader in the dressing room.
“Virat Kohli is an alpha in a team and he will always remain an alpha. Even if he is not captaining, he will still remain an alpha.”
Ahead of RCB’s successful chase in the IPL 2026 final, their bowlers put in a disciplined performance after Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to field. The bowling attack picked up wickets at regular intervals and restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs.
RCB’s first and only mistake in the match – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Royal Challengers Bangalore’s strategy in the IPL 2026 final but pointed out their only mistake of the match. The experienced spinner said that RCB’s decision to make Jacob Duffy open the innings was a mistake.
“RCB’s first and only mistake in the match was to give the first over to Jacob Duffy. After that they made no mistakes. Jacob Duffy gave 13 runs. In the last game, Jofra Archer gave 19 runs in the first over and the match was over.”
Jacob Duffy struggled in his opening spell, conceding 13 runs in the first over and becoming the only RCB bowler without a wicket. However, the rest of the bowling attack immediately took control and kept Gujarat Titans under pressure.
Rasikh Dar Salaam recorded impressive figures of 3/27. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each, restricting Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs.
Also read: Watch: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar’s funny reaction to Krunal Pandya’s heartwarming ‘5 trophies’ gesture
