In a landmark decision, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has appointed Rajat Patidar as their captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The announcement marks a new era for the franchise, with the 31-year-old Madhya Pradesh cricketer stepping into a leadership role following his consistent performances for both RCB and his state team.
Virat Kohli’s Influence Beyond Captaincy
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru where Patidar was officially unveiled as RCB’s new skipper, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat emphasized that Virat Kohli remains a leader within the team, regardless of whether he holds the official captaincy title.
“Of course, Virat was an option, and that goes without saying,” Bobat said. “But we’ve also seen a lot of love for Rajat. Virat doesn’t need a captaincy title to lead. Leadership is one of his strongest instincts, and it comes naturally to him. He leads regardless.”
Bobat continued to praise Kohli, acknowledging his significant influence within the squad. “Everybody in the country and the world knows that Virat is a leader in every sense of the word. Andy [Flower, head coach] and I lean on him quite a lot. Faf [du Plessis] has lent on him a lot, and we’re pretty sure that Rajat will be leaning on him too.”
Patidar’s Captaincy Credentials
Patidar brings a wealth of leadership experience, having captained Madhya Pradesh across formats. In the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he led MP to the finals and emerged as one of the tournament’s top performers, scoring 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate exceeding 186. His ability to counter spin and play aggressive shots has been a defining aspect of his game.
Since joining RCB in 2022, Patidar has been a standout performer, amassing 799 runs in 24 innings at an average of 34.73 and an impressive strike rate of 158.84. He also became the first uncapped player to score a century in an IPL playoff, a feat he achieved against Lucknow Super Giants in 2022. Last season, he played a key role in RCB’s late surge into the playoffs, scoring 395 runs in 13 matches with a strike rate of over 177.
Kohli’s Support for Patidar’s Appointment
Bobat revealed that Kohli was part of the discussions regarding Patidar’s appointment and expressed excitement about the decision. “Andy and I spent some time with Virat earlier this week in Ahmedabad, and it was clear that he had so much energy and enthusiasm for this appointment. He’s very pleased for Rajat and knows how deserving he is of this opportunity.”
A New Era for RCB
As RCB prepares for the 2025 season, the franchise is banking on Patidar’s leadership to bring fresh energy to the squad. With the continued presence of Kohli as a guiding force, the team will be looking to make a strong push for their elusive maiden IPL title.
Patidar’s appointment marks a significant step in RCB’s evolution, and fans will eagerly watch how the young captain leads the side in one of the most competitive T20 leagues in the world.