Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will resume their IPL 2025 campaign on May 17 with a crucial home clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Led by Rajat Patidar, the Men in Red have enjoyed a strong season so far, securing eight wins from eleven games and currently sitting second on the points table. With just one more win needed to confirm their playoff spot, the stakes are high as the league enters its final phase.
Patidar, who became the eighth player to captain RCB in the IPL, stepped into the leadership role after Faf du Plessis was released ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Despite the pressure, the elegant right-hander has shown calm authority on the field. Off the field, he recently shared an emotional anecdote about a defining moment with Virat Kohli, which left a lasting impact on him.
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Speaking on the ‘RCB Podcast,’ Patidar recalled being stunned when Kohli handed him the RCB plaque at the team’s unboxing event. “I was blank when he gave it to me,” he admitted. “But when Virat said, ‘You deserve it, you earned it,’ I felt a little better. That moment made me feel normal despite the overwhelming situation.”
Patidar also spoke highly of Kohli’s influence on his growth as a player and leader. “Whenever he bats in the nets, I observe him closely. There’s so much to learn from his technique and mindset. His experience and ideas—no one else has that.”
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As a batter, Patidar has carved a solid reputation in the IPL. In 38 matches, he has scored 1038 runs at an average of 31.45, including nine half-centuries and a century, with a remarkable strike rate of 154.23. Now, as captain, he’s looking to take RCB deeper into the tournament—and perhaps, all the way.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 – 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 🙌
Rajat reflects on his memorable moment with Virat at #RCBUnbox, shares the perks of captaincy, the thrill of winning in Chennai, and much more, on… pic.twitter.com/xgkfgWe2GQ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 14, 2025
