New Delhi: Rajat Patidar once again delivered a sensational performance in an IPL playoff match, strengthening his reputation as a big-match player. From his standout knock in the 2022 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants to his explosive innings in the 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain is emerging as a dominant force in knockout games.
In the Qualifier 1 played at the HPCA Stadium, Patidar played a match-winning unbeaten innings of 93 off just 33 balls. His explosive batting helped RCB post a record-breaking total of 254/4, the highest-ever score in an IPL playoff match. Bengaluru went on to register a massive 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans, effectively sealing the match during the first innings itself.
Rajat Patidar was steady early in his innings, scoring 21 off 13 balls, but then shifted gears dramatically, smashing 72 runs off his next 20 deliveries. His aggressive approach completely dismantled the opposition bowling attack.
Rajat Patidar Sets Six-Hitting Record as Captain
In addition to his match-winning knock, Patidar also created a new T20 world record for the most sixes hit by a captain in a single T20 tournament. With 10 sixes in this match, he took his total to 41 sixes in IPL 2026.
Also read : Murugan Ashwin Retirement Shocks Fans Ahead of IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
He surpassed the previous record held by Riyan Parag, who had hit 40 sixes during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023/24 while captaining Assam.
In the IPL record books, the previous best was Shreyas Iyer with 39 sixes as captain during the 2025 season. Among international records, Germany’s Musaddiq Ahmed had struck 26 sixes in a recent T20I series against Austria.
Most sixes by a captain in a T20 tournament:
- Rajat Patidar – 41 (IPL 2026*)
- Riyan Parag – 40 (SMAT 2023/24)
- Shreyas Iyer – 39 (IPL 2025)
- Virat Kohli – 38 (IPL 2016)
- Chris Gayle – 37 (CPL 2016)
Patidar Joins Elite Captaincy Club
With this achievement, Rajat Patidar has also become only the second captain in IPL history to lead his team to consecutive finals in his first two seasons as captain. The only other player to achieve this feat is Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and reached the final again in 2023.
Patidar’s consistent performances in pressure situations continue to establish him as one of the most impactful modern IPL captains.