Rajat Patidar Announced as RCB’s New Captain for IPL 2025

BENGALURU, India — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has officially announced Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) during a press conference on February 13.

The announcement comes after RCB parted ways with former skipper Faf du Plessis, who led the team for three seasons but could not break their trophy drought. Du Plessis, who turned 40 last year, was released ahead of the IPL mega auction due to his advancing age.

At the press conference, RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower praised Patidar’s leadership qualities. Patidar has previously captained Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Flower remarked, “Rajat has a calm and simple demeanor, which will serve him well in the tournament. He has earned respect from his teammates and possesses the necessary strength and determination.”

Patidar expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting, “I want to thank the management for their faith in me. I am ready to take on this responsibility and will work hard to lead this fantastic team.”

Virat Kohli, the previous long-term captain, who stepped down in 2021 after nine seasons, also extended his support to Patidar. “Rajat, this is well deserved, and you have made a place in the hearts of RCB fans. I will be right behind you,” Kohli stated.

Following the mega auction, expectations rose regarding Kohli’s potential return to captaincy; however, he has opted to step back from leadership roles for personal reasons. “I wanted some space and manage my workload, and the story ends there,” Kohli mentioned on a podcast.

Rajat Patidar began his IPL career with RCB in 2021, and since then, he has established himself as a key player within the lineup. In the 2024 season, he finished with 395 runs at an impressive strike rate of 177.13. Over 27 matches for RCB, Patidar has accumulated a total of 799 runs at an average of 34.74.

With the IPL 2025 season set to commence after March 20, Patidar’s appointment marks a new chapter for RCB as they aim to secure their first championship title. The team’s strategy and dynamics will certainly shift under his leadership, making RCB fans eager for the upcoming matches.