‘Where is Rajat?’ Fans slam RCB for leaving 2-time title-winning captain Rajat Patidar out of celebratory post featuring Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s successful defence of their IPL crown should have been a moment of unfiltered celebration. Instead, a social media post shared by the franchise after their IPL 2026 triumph has sparked an unexpected debate among fans. While RCB lifted their second consecutive title after defeating Gujarat Titans in the final, many supporters were left asking one question: “Where is Rajat Patidar?”

The controversy erupted after RCB posted a photograph featuring Virat Kohli, head coach Andy Flower and team director Mo Bobat posing with the IPL trophy. Accompanied by the caption, “Three men. One mission. The rest is history. 🏆”, the post quickly went viral. However, it wasn’t long before fans began questioning the absence of the team’s captain, Rajat Patidar, from a post celebrating one of the most successful phases in the franchise’s history.

Three men. One mission. The rest is history. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HToqoJEW9x
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 1, 2026

Fans question the omission of the title-winning captain Rajat Patidar

The image was intended to celebrate RCB’s remarkable achievement of winning back-to-back IPL titles. While it received plenty of appreciation, a significant section of supporters felt that the franchise had overlooked the individual who led the team to both championships.

Social media platforms were flooded with reactions from fans who believed Patidar deserved a place in the post. Many pointed out that the captain had played a crucial role in shaping the team’s success over the past two seasons and should have been one of the central figures in any title celebration.

For supporters, the issue was not about diminishing Kohli’s contribution but about acknowledging the leader who guided the team on the field throughout the campaign.

Patidar’s leadership transformed RCB

Patidar’s captaincy has been one of the biggest success stories in recent IPL history. After taking over the leadership responsibilities, he helped RCB break their long wait for a maiden IPL title in 2025. Rather than being a one-season wonder, the franchise returned stronger in 2026 and successfully defended the trophy.

His calm approach, tactical awareness and ability to back his players have earned praise from both teammates and cricket experts. During the 2026 season, Patidar led from the front in key moments, including a stunning unbeaten 93 in Qualifier 1 that played a major role in securing RCB’s place in the final.

By guiding the franchise to consecutive championships, he entered an exclusive group of IPL captains who have successfully defended a title, further strengthening his legacy within the tournament.

Virat Kohli’s heroics in the final remain undeniable

Despite the criticism surrounding the post, few fans disputed Kohli’s importance in RCB’s title-winning campaign. The former captain once again delivered when it mattered most, producing an unbeaten match-winning knock of 75 runs in the final to help his side cross the finish line.

Kohli’s contribution to RCB over the years has made him one of the franchise’s most iconic figures. His presence in the celebratory image was therefore understandable. However, many supporters argued that celebrating Kohli and recognising Patidar’s captaincy achievements should not be mutually exclusive.

Notably, for years, RCB were often accused of relying heavily on star power while struggling to convert potential into trophies. The arrival of sustained success under Patidar’s leadership has changed that narrative. The reaction to the post reflects how much fans value the collective identity that has emerged within the squad. While Kohli continues to be the face of the franchise, supporters believe the team’s recent achievements have been built on strong leadership, smart coaching and a culture that prioritises results over individual stardom.

Also READ: Top 5 oldest cricketers to win Player of the Match awards in IPL final ft. Virat Kohli

Here’s how fans reacted:

I’m a hard core “RCB” fan and I must admit it should be Rajat at the centre of these photos and not Virat. End of the discussion. https://t.co/EcCbyXMOH7
— Naik Jr. 7️⃣ (@BrunoFernansch8) June 2, 2026

Rajat Patidar was robbed. Bro helped the wrong team win the trophy. He deserves better 💔 https://t.co/1OTTWwrssv
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) June 2, 2026

Why Virat kohli in all these pics? Why not Rajat Patidar? What has he done wrong? https://t.co/kjrpyusrCD
— Abhinav MSDian™ (@Abhinav_hariom) June 2, 2026

“We worked closely in terms of leadership” But don’t ask me about my leadership or I will block you on Instagram 😈 https://t.co/vsmVEB9dNT
— Abhishek (@ydvabhi93) June 2, 2026

Unreal credit stealing https://t.co/sPz0aEHTi6
— Veer (@pullxshot) June 2, 2026

Stealing credit for Virat is not new, he did with rohit for ICC trophies now doing it with Rajat https://t.co/qqet55kVTr
— RGS45 (@ict_77) June 2, 2026

Funny how the actual captain is getting overshadowed. Rajat Patidar led the team with calmness, made the right decisions, and helped RCB win consistently, yet the spotlight is only on Kohli.
Virat Kohli is the biggest credit stealer; he took all the credit for India’s Test… https://t.co/kBuVG7npsI
— JB (@93Yorker) June 3, 2026

Then Ajinkya Rahane, now Rajat Patidar.. we can never beat his insecure PR game https://t.co/zpMZxo4hl0 pic.twitter.com/xY3KMcWP56
— ` (@justrohit45) June 3, 2026

Captain of RCB Rajat Patidar https://t.co/FsCWQOBD3r pic.twitter.com/8ZJHGZjQjv
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) June 2, 2026

Patidar should be there. He won back to back trophies with his captaincy and performance too! https://t.co/ONU4b4A7Cb
— Virus (@virusbiryani_) June 2, 2026

Feel bad for patidar https://t.co/PbToYWwVpm
— 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳 (@notsourlmao) June 2, 2026

Rajat patidar sidelined 🥹🥺
Gajab hai https://t.co/0XCC9Sf1o4
— 𝒜𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒾 𝒜𝓊𝓇𝒶 ✨ (@GuddiAditi) June 2, 2026

where is my man patidar 😔💔 https://t.co/WylT5RNVWJ
— bethellexual ⭐️ (@bethellexual) June 3, 2026

Where is Patidar ??😅😅 https://t.co/3eK5rpCsys
— ~ A ~ (@L_litlikeamatch) June 2, 2026

Where is Rajat ? @RCBTweets https://t.co/AfEXRsEXcG
— Faizal (@Suicidalfaizz) June 2, 2026

Where is rajat patidar bruhhh 😪😪 https://t.co/z6GUh1rtSV
— Dr.dark knight (@darkknight11010) June 2, 2026

Hardly tweeted anything about patidar
You don’t deserve this bro @rrjjt_01 😢 https://t.co/6FqFC4H7eo
— JaiBabu❤️‍🔥 (@unknown_user26_) June 2, 2026

I really feel bad for rajat patidar he has done everything for rcb but they are making him a side character to boost kohli PR https://t.co/vwUKVcjlz7
— `mr. villa (@Luccydevil07) June 3, 2026

The way @RCBTweets and their PR team sidelines their captain and instead hypes up every post by involving Kohli has to be studied 🤣 https://t.co/OIp6EiZcVr
— Swarad Mokal 🇮🇳 (@swarad07) June 3, 2026

Who is your captain? https://t.co/u5FXko5QUw
— pun. life. (@mindkhichdi) June 3, 2026

Rajat Patidar Should be center here…. https://t.co/2pyBLUv4BC
— Sigma Mode On🙅‍♂️ (@MrPrajjvalViews) June 3, 2026

Rajat Patidar should leave RCB.
He never gets the limelight he deserves because every conversation eventually becomes about Virat Kohli. According to the logic some people are using for Jaiswal, Rajat can never become the face of the franchise unless Kohli leaves. https://t.co/MzaYKFCceS
— CM (@Royals_33) June 3, 2026

Such a Shameless Franchise. Why Virat Chokli is included and Rajat excluded 🤡 https://t.co/m509HNH0Lr
— Ichigo Kurosaki – The Substitute Shinigami (@Bahurudeen7777) June 3, 2026

But , Captain to Rajat Patidar tha na ??? https://t.co/hNxILB0zHW
— M.S. (@T20wc24India) June 2, 2026

Disrespect to Rajat Patidar is unreal. 0 hype by RCB official page, despite gifting them 2 trophies https://t.co/xW5gyC2pMY
— Naanu. ನಾನು𓃵 (@Tw33tShoot3r) June 2, 2026