Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a bold and unexpected move by naming Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The announcement came on Thursday (February 13) during a press conference held at 11:30 AM, where the franchise officially introduced Patidar as the leader who will take charge from IPL 2025 and beyond. This decision marks a significant shift for RCB as they look to build a fresh leadership core after the departure of former skipper Faf du Plessis.
Following Du Plessis’ release, there was widespread speculation about who would lead the side. RCB did not acquire a proven captaincy candidate in the mega auction last November, which left fans and analysts debating whether the franchise would turn to Virat Kohli for another stint or back a young and emerging leader like Patidar.
Virat Kohli, who captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, had taken the team to the IPL final in 2016, a campaign where he led from the front with record-breaking performances. However, the management decided to place their faith in Patidar, signalling a new era for the franchise.
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Rajat Patidar was one of the three players retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2025, and his leadership credentials have been steadily growing in the domestic circuit. He captained Madhya Pradesh in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20 format) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over format) earlier in the season.
Under his leadership, Madhya Pradesh reached the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing his ability to marshal his team effectively in high-pressure games. His calm demeanour, tactical acumen, and aggressive batting style have made him a promising leader in Indian cricket.
The next captain of RCB is…
Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
The next captain of RCB is…
Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
“The next captain of RCB is… Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless, and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! His calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the past, will be a game-changer for RCB. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for our Spin Basher, the cool and composed, 𝗥𝗮𝗷𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿!”
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With this decision, RCB has placed immense faith in Patidar’s leadership skills and potential to guide the team to success. As he steps into the role, he will have the challenge of leading a side with high expectations and passionate fans eager for their first IPL trophy. It remains to be seen how he handles the pressures of captaincy at the IPL level, but with his fearless batting and growing reputation, Patidar now has the opportunity to carve his own legacy at RCB.
RCB full squad for IPL 2025
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.
