Both captains led a somewhat laid-back press conference, with the IPL trophy positioned neatly between them. Shreyas Iyer of the Punjab Kings had played a career-defining T20 innings merely 15 hours earlier. Exhausted but composed, Iyer returned for the media briefing on just four hours of sleep. Across from him sat the mild-mannered Rajat Patidar. In his debut season as the full-time captain of a pressure-heavy franchise, Patidar has guided the Royal Challengers Bangalore to their finest IPL campaign yet.
Despite the anticipation, both chose discretion over showmanship. Patidar acknowledged the fans’ unwavering support but cautioned against letting expectations weigh on the team’s performance. “We aren’t focusing on the event stage. The fans are important, we’re grateful, but we’re concentrating on our game,” he said. Neither captain divulged any team news, strategically keeping their cards close to their chest.
Iyer, initially measured, displayed a spark of competitiveness when asked about facing Virat Kohli. “On the field, it’s all rivalry. It’s a battle, and I’m giving everything for victory,” he expressed emphatically.
The RCB team, including stars like Kohli, overpowered Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on a challenging pitch. When probed about handling RCB’s formidable bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, Iyer commented, “We’re on different turf now. They’ve bowled well, but adapting is key. We’re ready for the challenge. You tackle it head-on. Plans must be flexible; our young players know that.”
In recent memory, these captains crossed paths in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Reflecting on their history, Patidar remarked, “Meeting Shreyas again feels familiar. It’s the same captains, and the rivalry continues.”
