Bengaluru, Sept 16 (UNI) Rajat Patidar, who scripted history by captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League title earlier this year, today said that the experience had given him invaluable lessons in leadership and resilience as he prepares to lead India A in the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A, starting September 30.
Speaking to reporters here, the stylish right-hander said donning the captain’s armband for India A was a special moment in his career. “It’s a huge honour for me to captain the India A side for the series against Australia A. I see this as a fantastic opportunity for us to show the level we are at and push ourselves into contention for a place in the senior national team through consistent and resilient performances,” Patidar remarked.
The 32-year-old described 2025 as a turning point in his professional journey. “In many ways, this year has been extraordinary for me, personally and professionally. It began with the responsibility of leading Madhya Pradesh in first-class cricket, followed by RCB entrusting me with the captaincy of their iconic franchise. Winning the IPL trophy was truly the icing on the cake,” he said.
“More than the silverware, it was about the learnings along the way — how to manage pressure, motivate players, and take decisions for the larger good of the team. These are lessons that will stay with me and help in the long run.”
Patidar said the key to RCB’s success was the bond and selflessness within the group. “As captain, you want your side to come together as a unit and be ready to take a bullet for each other. That’s the kind of camaraderie and belief system we built at RCB this season, where every player stepped up and worked towards a common goal. It’s a similar culture we would like to create for India A — a side that enjoys each other’s success and plays for the badge,” he noted.
The Indore-born cricketer has been in scintillating touch with the bat across formats. Earlier this week, he showcased his class and temperament in the Duleep Trophy final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, steering Central Zone to a six-wicket win over South Zone with a commanding 101 off 115 balls. His performance not only anchored the chase but also capped a prolific tournament in which he finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 382 runs in five innings, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
Selectors are understood to be closely tracking Patidar’s progress as India begin to shape their squads for next year’s international calendar. A strong showing in the Australia A series could further bolster his credentials as a future India regular, both as a dependable top-order batter and an astute leader.
With India A featuring a mix of seasoned domestic performers and promising youngsters, Patidar said his focus would be on striking the right balance between guidance and freedom.
“My aim is to give clarity of roles, back the players in tough situations, and ensure we enjoy our cricket. If we can build that environment, results will follow,” he said, exuding quiet confidence ahead of the contest.
