Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have appointed Rajat Patidar as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, starting on March 21. The decision comes as a surprise to many who speculated that Virat Kohli would return to the leadership role after the franchise opted not to retain former captain Faf du Plessis, who led the team from 2022 to 2024.
The official announcement was made in Bengaluru on Thursday, with team director Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower, and Patidar himself present at the event. This appointment makes Patidar the eighth captain in RCB’s history. Having joined the franchise in 2021, the right-handed batter has emerged as a crucial player, accumulating 799 runs in 28 matches at an impressive strike rate of 158.85.
RCB’s Thought Process Behind Appointing Patidar
Head coach Andy Flower emphasized Patidar’s composed demeanor, which will be an asset in high-pressure situations like the IPL.
“Rajat possesses a calmness that will serve him well in this role. He may be naturally quiet, but his leadership qualities shine through in the way he cares for his teammates in the dressing room. That’s an essential trait for any leader,” Flower stated.
Mo Bobat confirmed that Kohli was considered for the role but highlighted that the franchise preferred an Indian captain, as the IPL is primarily an Indian tournament.
“Both Virat and Rajat were strong contenders. However, Virat doesn’t need a formal title to lead. Even when Faf was captain last season, Virat played a significant leadership role,” Bobat explained.
Bobat further revealed that the team management, including batting coach Dinesh Karthik and Kohli himself, engaged in multiple discussions before finalizing their decision.
“We had extensive discussions with DK and Virat, and what stood out about Rajat was his eagerness to take on leadership responsibilities. His captaincy in the domestic circuit with Madhya Pradesh (MP) was commendable. We saw compelling evidence that he was a viable option,” he added.
Patidar’s Leadership Experience and Recent Performances
The 31-year-old Patidar was one of three players retained by RCB ahead of the mega auction in November 2024. Though this marks his first time leading an IPL team, he has already gained experience as captain in domestic tournaments. He led Madhya Pradesh in the 2024-25 editions of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over), guiding MP to the runners-up position in the former.
Patidar expressed his excitement about his new role and recalled an earlier conversation with Bobat.
“I told Mo last year that before leading RCB, I wanted to captain my state team first. When they informed me it was between Virat and me, I was thrilled. Words can’t express my emotions,” Patidar shared.
His recent performances further solidify his credentials. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 428 runs in nine innings at an average of 61.14 and a blistering strike rate of 186.08. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 226 runs at an average of 56.50 and a strike rate of 107.10.
RCB’s Quest for Their Maiden IPL Title
Despite being one of the most popular franchises in the league, RCB has yet to clinch an IPL title. They have reached the final three times, the last being in 2016. However, they have consistently performed well in recent years, making it to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. In 2024, RCB showcased remarkable resilience by winning their last six league matches to secure a top-four finish, only to be eliminated in the playoffs.
With Patidar at the helm, RCB aims to break their title drought and establish themselves as a dominant force in IPL 2025.
Other Franchises Yet to Confirm Captains
With RCB announcing their new skipper, only Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have yet to finalize their captains for the upcoming season. Last year’s KKR captain, Shreyas Iyer, will now lead Punjab Kings (PBKS), while former DC skipper Rishabh Pant is set to captain Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Rajat Patidar to see how he leads RCB in their pursuit of glory. Will his leadership mark a new era for the franchise? Fans eagerly await the season opener to find out.
