Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Rajat Patidar - a name that was once in the long list of Indian domestic cricketers has now etched in IPL history books.
The boy from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who once came into Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a last-minute replacement, is now the man who led the team to its first-ever IPL title after 18 long years of waiting.
His story is not just about cricket. It’s about patience, hard work, coming back from huge failure, and grabbing the right opportunity at the right time.
Born in Indore, Rajat was introduced to cricket at a very young age. At just 8 years old, he joined a local cricket club. His family, especially his father Manohar Patidar, who is a businessman, always supported his dreams.
Rajat made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2015-16 season. He made an impact by scoring a century in his debut match and followed it up with another in the next game.
One of the biggest moments in his domestic career came in 2022 when Madhya Pradesh lifted the Ranji Trophy. Rajat played a key role in that historic win by scoring a crucial century in the final against Mumbai.
Despite his domestic success, Patidar’s IPL journey was not smooth. In 2021, he was brought into the RCB squad as a last-minute replacement for Luvnith Sisodia. In 2022, he went unsold in the auction. It could have been the end of the journey. But God had other plans.
Later that same season, RCB brought him back as a replacement player. And that’s when Rajat made everyone sit up and take notice. In the eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants, he scored an unforgettable 112 not out. He ended the season as RCB’s third-highest run-scorer not bad for someone who wasn’t even picked initially in the auctions.
In 2025, RCB trusted Rajat enough to retain him and, in a bold move, made him the captain.
Despite having experienced player like Virat Kholi, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood and Bhunvneshwar Kumar RCB played a gamble by made Rajat captain but it paid off.
Under his calm and confident leadership, RCB found new energy and direction. Rajat led by example, not just with tactics, but also with his steady performances with the bat. And finally, in IPL 2025, he brought home the trophy that RCB fans had been waiting for since the league began in 2008.
He became the first captain in RCB’s history to lift the IPL trophy a moment of pure emotion for fans and the team alike.
Rajat made his ODI debut against South Africa in late 2023 and soon after, his Test debut against England. While his Test series didn’t go well scoring only 63 runs in six innings Rajat didn’t let the setback define him.
He went back to domestic cricket, worked on his technique, and stayed focused. That’s the kind of resilience that defines him.
Rajat Patidar’s journey is the kind that gives hopes. From being a replacement player to lifting the IPL trophy as captain, his path was never easy but he never stopped trying.
Rajat’s story reminds us all: dreams do come true, but only for those who keep showing up. And today, Indore’s son has made the whole nation proud.
