Indian batter Rajat Patidar has been officially named the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, which kicks off on March 21.
The announcement was made at a special event in Bengaluru on Thursday, where Patidar was joined by RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, and Head Coach, Andy Flower.
With this new role, Patidar is set to lead the team with fresh energy and determination as RCB aims for a strong season ahead.
Rajat Patidar will step in as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), replacing Faf du Plessis, who led the team from 2022 to 2024 but was not retained in last year’s IPL mega auction.
Patidar was among the three players retained by RCB, alongside Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. This will be his first time leading an IPL team, but he has already gained captaincy experience at the domestic level. He led Madhya Pradesh in both the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over format).
With his leadership, RCB fans will be eager to see how Patidar guides the team in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
31-year-old Rajat Patidar has been a key part of RCB since 2021, playing three IPL seasons and scoring 799 runs in 28 matches at an impressive strike rate of 158.85. With his consistent performances, he has become an important player for the team.
Kohli’s Message of Support
Former RCB captain Virat Kohli congratulated Patidar on his new role, saying:
“Rajat, first of all, congratulations! You’ve really earned this. The way you’ve grown in this franchise and won the hearts of RCB fans across India is incredible. People love watching you play, and this opportunity is well deserved. We, as a team, are fully behind you, and you’ll have all our support.”
Kohli also acknowledged the responsibility of leading RCB, adding:
“Being captain is a big role. I’ve done it for years, and Faf took over recently. Now, it’s your turn to take this franchise forward. I’m sure it’s a proud moment for you, and I have no doubt you’ll grow into this role and keep improving.”
Patidar’s Recent Form
Patidar has been in exceptional form, proving his leadership abilities at the domestic level:
✅ Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25
- 428 runs in 9 innings
- Average: 61.14 | Strike Rate: 186.08
✅ Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25
- 226 runs in 4 innings
- Average: 56.50 | Strike Rate: 107.10
Kohli praised Patidar’s growth as a player, highlighting his India call-up and strong leadership in domestic cricket. He urged RCB fans to stand by their new captain, saying:
“Rajat has everything it takes to be a great leader for this amazing team. I request all fans to support him because, in the end, what matters most is the success of RCB as a team.”
RCB’s Quest for an IPL Title
RCB has reached the IPL final three times but is still chasing its first-ever trophy. The team made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, including a strong comeback in IPL 2024, where they won their last six league games to qualify for the eliminator.
Captaincy Updates Across IPL
With Patidar’s appointment, only Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are yet to confirm their captains for IPL 2025.
- Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR last season, will now captain Punjab Kings.
- Rishabh Pant, DC’s previous captain, will now lead Lucknow Super Giants.
With IPL 2025 starting on March 21, all eyes will be on Patidar and RCB as they begin a new chapter under his leadership! 🔥🏏
