Hyderabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has announced Rajat Patidar as their new captain as he is all set to lead the franchise in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, starting March 21, 2025. Rajat Patidar received the blue blazer and red cap as the captain of the RCB.
Patidar became the eighth player and fourth Indian to lead RCB. Before him, seven players have captained RCB over the years the likes of Rahul Dravid, Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson and Anil Kumble.
ಬಹುಪರಾಕ್ ಹೇಳೋ ಸಮಯ ಬಂದಿದೆ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು! 🙌🔥
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
ಈಗ ಪದಗ್ರಹಣ ಮಾಡ್ತಿರೋ ನಿಮ್ಮ ತಂಡದ ಅಧಿಪತಿ, ನಾಯಕ ರಜತ್ ಮನೋಹರ್ ಪಾಟಿದಾರ್! 👑💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBCaptain #Rajat #RajatPatidar #IPL2025 #PatidarPattabhisheka pic.twitter.com/NDf8EjIl2H
Rajat Patidar, who has been a part of RCB since 2021, was one of their three retained players ahead of the mega auction. The 31-year-old Patidar has the experience of leading Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 season. He led Madhya Pradesh to the finals of SMAT where they lost against domestic giants Mumbai.
Welcome to your Raj, Ra-pa. 👑
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
The baton has been passed, and your name has made it to the history books.
It’s time for a new chapter! Let’s give the best fans in the world what they’ve been waiting for all these years. 🙌 #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBCaptain #Rajat #RajatPatidar… pic.twitter.com/AKwjM9bnsq
The right-hand batter has played three seasons for the franchise since joining them in 2021 and has grown into one of their key batters, having amassed 799 runs in 28 matches at a strike rate of 158.85.
CAPTAIN RAJAT MANOHAR PATIDAR. 🫡
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
Faf du Plessis, who joined the side in 2022, passed the baton to Patidar after captaining the side in the last three seasons. After a couple of dismal performances in the 2022 and 2023 editions, RCB reached the playoffs after winning six games on the trot after losing seven out of eight matches earlier in the 2024 season. However, RCB released Du Plessis ahead of the mega auction held in November last year. The 40-year-old Du Plessis will play for Delhi Capitals this season.
𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat”: Virat Kohli
“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved.”… pic.twitter.com/dgjDLm8ZCN
Virat Kohli, the only cricketer to represent a single franchise in the last 17 years, was considered the frontrunner to captain RCB. Kohli had led RCB for nine years between 2013 and 2021 before stepping down from the helm. He had also stood in as captain for three matches in IPL 2023 in the absence of Du Plessis.
Head Coach Andy Flower opened up on why Rajat Patidar was named as captain, revealing three key points. "Three main things to share. First, there is a calmness and simplicity that is needed in the IPL. It will serve him really well. The second thing, he's quiet but he cares about the people he's around. That means he will instantly have the respect and care of other people, and as a leader, people will follow behind him. The third, he has a stubborn and steeliness about him. You see it in the way he plays, takes on the game," Flower said.
Kohli congratulated Rajat Patidar for becoming the captain of RCB. "Wish you all the very best. The way you've grown, you've made a place in the hearts of fans all over India. This is very well deserved. Myself and other team members will be behind you. It is a big responsibility. To be seen who will take the franchise forward is a big honour for you. I am sure you will grow strength to strength," Kohli said.
"He's evolved, his game has improved many levels. He has led the state team. He has shown what it takes to lead the franchise. I request fans to show their support and know he will do what is best for the team. Regardless of what happens, what is most important is the team and the franchise. Sending my best wishes to the team, and franchise and look forward to working with everyone," he added.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) remain the only two teams to name their captains for the IPL 2025. Shreyas Iyer, KKR's captain last year, will lead Punjab Kings (PBKS) this year, while the former DC captain Rishabh Pant will captain Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Squad: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.
