Rajat Patidar vows to achieve IPL glory for Virat Kohli, determined to win final: ‘He has done so well over the years'
Virat Kohli continues to remain the most important player in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room despite leaving the captaincy after IPL 2021. He still holds the same respect from his teammates for his contribution to the franchise and the Indian team. The RCB players have often talked highly of the batting maestro for what he did for the franchise and remained loyal to them for 18 long years. Now, with RCB securing a spot in the IPL final after a nine-year wait, captain Rajat Patidar has made it evident that the team is determined to win their maiden title for Virat Kohli, the franchise's longest-serving player, who has endured the highs and lows alongside them since the very beginning.
'We will try and win this for him,' Patidar said ahead of the IPL final against PBKS. 'He has done so well for India and RCB over the years.'
RCB have played three IPL finals in the past, but they have still eluded the prestigious title, and Patidar is focused on ending the drought in the team's fourth final. The middle-order batter has shown impressive leadership, effectively utilising his resources during high-pressure moments.
There is a burden of expectations on Patidar to end RCB's title drought, but he has stated that his focus is to stay in the present and handle what is in his control.
'Expectations come naturally, especially when you're leading a team like RCB in a final, but I always focus on what's in my control and try to stay in the present,' he said. 'This captaincy journey has been a great learning experience for me," he added.
The Kohli factor has undeniably played a big role in RCB attracting massive crowd support, even in away fixtures, with Patidar noting that such backing makes them feel like they're playing on home turf.
'Wherever we go, we feel that the crowd is a home ground for us and (given ) the way they are showing support and love from the (last many) years,' he said.
The two teams have already faced each other thrice this season. Punjab Kings emerged victorious in the first encounter, but RCB stamped their authority in the last two, including a massive confidence-boosting win in Qualifier 1. However, the final is going to be a different ball game altogether, with the pressure of both teams' expectations for winning their maiden titles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
13 minutes ago
- India Today
Rishabh Pant sends special message to Nicholas Pooran after retirement call
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant paid a touching tribute to Nicholas Pooran as the West Indies star announced his international cricket retirement from all formats of the game. Pooran made the shocking decision at the age of 29 on June 10 as he will now focus on playing just franchise cricket all around the globe. Tributes have been coming in for Pooran after his call, with Pant being the latest one. Both men were together at the Lucknow Super Giants during the IPL 2025 season and it seems that they share a great bond. In a story shared on his Instagram profile, the Indian wicketkeeper told Pooran that he had made his mark in international cricket and hailed him as a true teammate, friend and a powerhouse in the game. advertisementPant congratulated Pooran for his contributions towards West Indies cricket and wished him success ahead for his new journey. "You've made your mark, bro - a true teammate, friend and an absolute powerhouse. Proud to have shared the field with you. Congrats on everything you have done for West Indies cricket. Wishing you nothing but success for the road ahead. Respect always," said Pant on Instagram. Courtesy: Rishabh Pant Instagram Pooran was one of the stars for LSG this season with the bat as he scored 524 runs in 14 matches for the franchise. He hit a whopping 40 sixes during this game on his way to hitting five fifties. Pant didn't have a great campaign, despite a hundred in the final game against RCB. Pooran's career with West IndiesadvertisementPooran never played Tests for West Indies but one of their key white-ball players over the years. The 29-year-old scored 1983 runs in 61 ODIs and 2275 runs in 106 T20Is. Pooran also captained West Indies after being appointed in 2022 and but stepped down after the T20 World Cup disaster that year. He was appointed as the skipper of MI New York ahead of the new season. Must Watch
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Exclusive: Bangladeshi chess player deported from India; 80-year-old legend Rani Hamid 'disturbed' by events
80-year-old Bangladeshi chess legend Rani Hamid NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's renowned 80-year-old chess player Sayeda Jasimunnessa Khatun, better known as Rani Hamid, arrived in India earlier this month to participate in the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament (June 7-14). The journey that began in high spirits took a troubling turn when her travel companion and compatriot, Ashiya Sultana, was denied entry into the country upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sultana, 37, was reportedly blacklisted by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for participating in a chess tournament in Kolkata while on a medical visa during a previous visit. As a result, she was held at the Airport immigration centre overnight and denied access to her luggage. Subsequently, she was deported to Bangladesh the following day. The incident left Rani Hamid visibly shaken and emotionally distressed. 'I am very sad," Hamid told on the sidelines of the Delhi GM Open. "The person who came with me was not allowed to enter India. She was made to sit overnight at the immigration centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo They did not even give her access to her luggage. The next day, she was forced to buy a return ticket at double the price,' she said. 'My mind is disturbed, and I am unable to focus on the game.' As a result of the unfortunate turn of events, Hamid (rated 1800+) has had a challenging run in the tournament so far, securing one win and one draw out of six rounds, all against lower-rated opponents. Hamid, who has long refrained from travelling alone for tournaments due to her growing age, added, 'I never travel alone. I always have someone with me. She was accompanying me, and now she is gone. I have been left alone.' Poll Do you think the immigration policies regarding sports participants need to be more transparent? Yes, definitely No, they are fine as is Not sure Speaking further on the situation, the 80-year-old, who became Bangladesh's first Woman International Master (WIM) in 1985, voiced deep concern over the apparent lack of coordination between the Indian and Bangladeshi authorities. 'Her passport was clear, all documents were in order, but immigration told her she had been blacklisted for playing in a previous tournament on a medical visa," Hamid continued. "At the time, she wasn't even aware that it was a violation. If she had been informed earlier, she would never have come. The Indian authorities should have notified the Bangladesh Chess Federation.' Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments Hamid added that she pleaded with immigration officials for leniency. 'I requested them: if you believe she violated the rules, then impose a fine, $100, $200, whatever, but let her stay and play for seven days. She is not a criminal. She hasn't committed any crime. She didn't kill, steal, or rob anyone. Her only offence is that she played chess.' Despite the emotional strain, Rani Hamid, however, acknowledged the support and hospitality provided by the organising committee of the Delhi Chess Association (DCA). ALSO READ: Rs 50,000 a month and countless sacrifices: How India's chess future shapes up in Chennai hut With the tournament held at The Tivoli, a resort in Chhatarpur, Delhi, where international participants are also accommodated, it takes Hamid less than five minutes to walk from her room to the playing hall. 'It is very comfortable here. I can play only because of that comfort. I am very grateful to the organisers who sent tickets and invited us so warmly,' she said. DCA president Bharat Singh Chauhan described the incident as one of the many challenges that come with organising a major international event. "Visa issues are common for foreign players. In this case, the FRRO had blacklisted her. Perhaps she had previously come to India for medical treatment and ended up playing in a chess tournament, which may have led someone to file a complaint. As a result, she was denied entry. These kinds of challenges are part and parcel of hosting large-scale events," he explained.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
1xBat becomes sponsor of Eagle Nashik Titans in MPL 2025: Investing in the growth of regional cricket in India
The sports news platform 1xBat Sporting Lines has become the official partner of the promising cricket team Eagle Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2025. This collaboration aims to strengthen support for regional sports, create new opportunities for young athletes, and increase visibility for this ambitious tournament. Eagle Nashik Titans entered the regional cricket scene in 2023 and have played a key role in revitalizing the Maharashtra Premier League. In their debut season, the team reached the state playoffs, and in 2024, they advanced to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by the Ratnagiri Jets. All MPL matches are held at the MCA International Stadium in Pune, which seats 45,000 spectators. The league's broadcast reach has expanded to 170 million viewers, making the Maharashtra Premier League the largest regional cricket tournament in India after the IPL. The MPL now serves as a bridge between the Ranji Trophy and the Indian Premier League, offering young talent from Maharashtra a platform to showcase their skills at a higher level. Scouts from India's top teams closely follow MPL matches. The league has already helped launch the careers of Rajneesh Gurbani and Sachin Dhas, and fans can expect even more breakout stars in the upcoming season. "We are proud to sponsor Eagle Nashik Titans — a rising franchise that shares our ambitions. Over the past two seasons, the team has shown steady progress and impressive results. They're also doing a great job developing young talent — just look at top-scorer Atharva Kale's performance in MPL 2024. The league has become a launchpad for the next generation of stars, many of whom move on to IPL clubs and achieve global recognition. We're excited to support regional cricket and contribute to the broader growth of India's sporting landscape," said a representative of 1xBat. As part of the partnership between 1xBat Sporting Lines and Eagle Nashik Titans, the brand's logo will appear on the team's jerseys, training kits, official website, and social media. It will also be featured on giant screens and sight screens during MPL 2025 matches, with regular giveaways of team merchandise and tickets to Eagle Nashik Titans games included in the collaboration. "We're excited to join forces with 1xBat, a respected and well-known platform. Their media and financial support will help us grow stronger and shine a brighter light on our emerging players. This season, we're going all in for the trophy, and wearing the 1xBat logo on our jerseys gives us even more drive to succeed," said a representative of Eagle Nashik Titans. The MPL 2025 season opener is scheduled for June 4, where the Eagles will face defending champions Ratnagiri Jets. Don't miss the kickoff of one of India's premier regional cricket leagues — and follow all the key action with 1xBat! About 1xBat Sporting Lines 1xBat Sporting Lines is an online news platform from India where you can find the most important sports news. 1xBat readers get daily updates on cricket, kabaddi, football, and other sports. Site visitors can see team rankings and find predictions for sporting events. 1xBat Sporting Lines has become the sponsor of Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20 2025), Eagle Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL 2025), and Lyca Kovai Kings in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2025). Also, the news platform signed a sponsorship agreement with Tamil Thalaivas for the 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The brand is the official sponsor as the 'powered by' partner of the 8th season of the Abu Dhabi T10 2024 Cricket League.
