The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set to begin in March, with teams already finalized. However, in a surprising move, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has announced a new captain—and it’s not Virat Kohli. Instead, the leadership responsibilities have been handed over to Rajat Patidar.
Who is Rajat Patidar?
The 31-year-old Rajat Patidar hails from Madhya Pradesh and joined RCB as a replacement player in 2022. He had previously played four matches for RCB in the 2021 season but was not retained the following year.
Patidar made a strong impression in the 2022 season, scoring 333 runs in eight matches, including a historic unbeaten 112-run knock off 54 balls in the playoff eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants. Unfortunately, he missed the 2023 season due to injury but was retained by RCB for 2024.
Patidar’s Performance That Turned Heads
In the 2024 season, Patidar showcased his talent by scoring 395 runs in 15 matches, smashing 33 sixes in the process. His standout performance caught the attention of the RCB management, ultimately earning him the captaincy. With this appointment, he becomes the eighth captain in RCB’s history, following in the footsteps of Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, and Faf du Plessis.
Why Not Virat Kohli in IPL 2025?
Initially, speculation was rife that Kohli might reclaim the captaincy after Faf du Plessis stepped down. However, reports suggest that Kohli declined the offer. Following Patidar’s appointment, Kohli shared a video message congratulating him and expressing confidence in his leadership.
“I hope he leads the team well, and we all stand by him in every decision,” Kohli stated.
Kohli’s Captaincy Legacy at RCB
Virat Kohli led RCB in 143 matches, winning 68 and losing 70. While Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the record for most matches as a captain in IPL history, Kohli ranks second on the list. Despite his leadership tenure, RCB is yet to lift the coveted IPL trophy.
With a fresh leader at the helm, RCB fans will be eager to see if Rajat Patidar can finally change the team’s fortunes in IPL.
