India, May 30 -- Rajat Patidar never carried himself like someone preparing to lead one of IPL's most high-profile franchises. Even now, after leading champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second consecutive final, those who know him well say he behaves less like a star cricketer and more like the composed boy from Indore as he has always been.

His long hair - jokingly compared by friends to Hamza Ali Mazaari from Dhurandhar - is perhaps the only thing currently challenging that understated image. Beneath that exterior, says Abhishek Pathrod, childhood friend and a coach with Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, was always a mind cut out for leadership.

"One thing that has never changed about him is how calm and composed he is," Pat...