Bengaluru: Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock has hailed Rajat Patidar as the greatest-ever captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), placing him ahead of iconic names like Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid.

Pollock’s bold statement comes as RCB continue their dominant run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

RCB’s dream run continues

RCB are currently enjoying a strong campaign, winning six out of their eight matches and sitting comfortably in second place on the points table. The defending champions look well on course for another playoff appearance.

Their turnaround has been remarkable since Patidar took over the captaincy in IPL 2025 — a season in which he led the franchise to its maiden IPL title.

“He is the GOAT” – Pollock

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Pollock didn’t hold back in his praise for Patidar.

He pointed out that winning a title in his very first season as captain automatically puts him ahead of previous leaders who failed to achieve the same feat with the franchise.

Pollock added that with RCB performing consistently again this year, Patidar’s legacy as the franchise’s greatest leader is only strengthening.

Surpassing legendary names

RCB has had several high-profile captains over the years, including Kohli, Kumble and Dravid — all legends of Indian cricket.

Patidar’s immediate success has therefore set him apart, marking a historic shift in RCB’s fortunes.

Respect from peers and dressing room

Interestingly, Shreyas Iyer recently named Patidar as the captain he would like to learn from, ahead of stalwarts like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.

Within the RCB camp, the skipper has also earned high praise. Batting coach Dinesh Karthik highlighted Patidar’s calm demeanour and clarity in decision-making.

Karthik noted that Patidar handles pressure situations well and effectively manages his bowlers on the field. He also benefits from inputs by experienced players such as Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Calm leadership, big results

One of Patidar’s defining traits has been his composed personality, which reflects in his captaincy. His ability to stay relaxed under pressure and make clear decisions has been crucial in RCB’s resurgence.

Under his leadership, the team has shown balance across batting, bowling and fielding — a key factor behind their consistent performances.

Conclusion

Rajat Patidar’s rapid rise as a successful IPL captain has rewritten RCB’s history. With a title already secured and another strong season underway, the debate around the franchise’s greatest leader may already have a clear answer — at least according to Shaun Pollock.