New Delhi, February 13 : Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has announced Rajat Patidar as the new captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The news has been met with strong support from former captain Virat Kohli, who expressed his confidence in Patidar’s leadership abilities.
In a video posted on RCB’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Kohli extended his best wishes to Patidar, vowing the team’s full backing. He praised Patidar for his growth and impact on the franchise, emphasizing the deservedness of this opportunity.
“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat,” Kohli said.
“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.”
Patidar’s appointment marks a new chapter in RCB’s leadership history, continuing the club’s legacy, which includes cricketing icons like Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis. With his calm demeanor and tactical awareness, Patidar now shoulders the responsibility of leading RCB in their pursuit of a maiden IPL title.
A Strong Track Record
Patidar, known for his solid batting, has experience as a captain for the Madhya Pradesh team across all formats. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, he captained MP to the finals, contributing significantly with 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.14, a strike rate of over 186, and five half-centuries, making him the second-highest run-getter in the tournament.
With the bat, Patidar has been a consistent performer for RCB since 2022, accumulating 799 runs in 24 innings at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84. Notably, he scored a century against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the 2022 IPL eliminator, becoming the first uncapped player to score a century in IPL playoffs.
In the 2023 IPL season, Patidar scored 395 runs in 13 matches, with five fifties, averaging over 30 and boasting a strike rate above 177. His fiery performances were crucial in RCB’s late surge into the playoffs after a slow start to the season.
International Debut
Patidar’s impressive domestic form earned him a spot in the Indian team. He made his ODI debut against South Africa at the end of 2023, scoring a brisk 22-run knock. He has also played three Test matches for India, although he struggled in his first Test series against England, managing only 63 runs across six innings.
The Path Ahead
With Virat Kohli’s endorsement and the backing of the squad, Patidar now faces the challenge of guiding RCB to their first IPL title. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how he adapts to this new leadership role and whether his performances with the bat can translate into success for the team. RCB fans are hopeful that under Patidar’s leadership, the franchise can build on its strong foundation and finally achieve IPL glory.