Dharamsala: Rajat Patidar etched his name in record books after surpassing some of the biggest names in T20 cricket during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s emphatic win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
The RCB skipper’s unbeaten 93 off 33 balls not only powered his team into the final but also helped him achieve a remarkable milestone — becoming the captain with the most sixes in a single T20 competition.
Record-breaking six-hitting feat
Patidar’s explosive knock featured five fours and nine towering sixes. With this effort, he took his tally to 41 sixes in IPL 2026, setting a new benchmark for captains in T20 cricket.
He surpassed Riyan Parag, who had previously held the record with 40 sixes as captain for Assam in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
In the context of the IPL, Patidar also overtook Shreyas Iyer, who had smashed 39 sixes as captain for Punjab Kings in the 2025 season.
Surpassing IPL legends
During his blistering innings, Patidar moved ahead of several renowned IPL power-hitters in the list of most sixes by a captain in a single season. Notably, he went past icons like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and Ishan Kishan.
This achievement underlines Patidar’s transformation into a fearless leader and a dominant T20 batter capable of changing the course of a match within a few overs.
Match-winning knock powers RCB
Patidar’s innings came in a crucial playoff encounter where RCB posted a record 254/5 — the highest total in IPL knockout history. His aggressive approach in the death overs proved decisive, as Gujarat Titans struggled to contain the scoring.
The captain capitalised on dropped chances and fielding lapses by Gujarat, turning the game firmly in RCB’s favour with a relentless assault on both pace and spin bowlers.
GT rue missed opportunities
After the match, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill admitted that poor fielding played a major role in the team’s defeat.
Gill acknowledged that his side remained competitive until the middle overs but failed to maintain intensity under pressure. Dropped catches and misfields allowed RCB batters to build momentum, which eventually proved costly.
He described the match as one the team would prefer to move past quickly, as they regroup for their next challenge in the tournament.
Dominant win seals RCB’s final spot
Chasing a daunting 255-run target, Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 162, handing RCB a comprehensive 92-run victory. The result secured RCB a place in their second consecutive IPL final.
The team’s all-round performance — led by Patidar’s captaincy and batting brilliance — highlighted their dominance in the tournament.
Conclusion
Rajat Patidar’s record-breaking feat marks a significant milestone not just in IPL history but in T20 cricket overall. Surpassing legendary names, he has redefined the role of a captain with aggressive and impactful batting.
As RCB gear up for the final, Patidar’s form and leadership will remain crucial. His ability to deliver under pressure and rewrite records makes him one of the standout performers of IPL 2026.