In a bold and unexpected move, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have appointed 31-year-old middle-order batter Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The announcement was made at a grand event at the KSCA on Thursday (February 13), marking a fresh chapter for the franchise.
Who is Rajat Patidar?
Rajat Patidar is an Indian cricketer who plays as a right-handed middle-order batsman. He has been a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has also represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. Known for his ability to play spin and pace well, Patidar made headlines with a stunning century in the IPL 2022 playoffs. His consistent performances earned him a retained spot in RCB's squad, and in a surprising move, he has now been appointed as the captain for IPL 2025, replacing Faf du Plessis.
A New Leader for a New Era
With the release of former skipper Faf du Plessis, RCB found themselves in search of a new leader ahead of the 2025 season. Enter Patidar, a dynamic batter with a knack for handling both pace and spin effortlessly. His recent success as captain of Madhya Pradesh, where he led the side to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, has undoubtedly played a role in RCB’s decision to hand him the reins. Patidar now becomes the eighth player to captain the franchise.
Patidar’s Journey: From Overlooked to Essential
Patidar’s IPL journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Making his debut for RCB in 2021, he quickly established himself as a key performer, amassing 799 runs in 27 matches at a blistering strike rate of 158.85. His retention ahead of the mega auctions—alongside Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal—underscored his importance, with RCB securing his services for a hefty INR 11 Crore.
However, his path hasn’t always been smooth. Released ahead of the 2022 season and left unsold at the auctions, it seemed like his IPL career was at a crossroads. But fate had other plans. An injury to Luvinth Sisodia in 2022 opened the door for Patidar’s return as a replacement player, and he made the most of it—scoring 333 runs in just 8 innings, including a stunning century. Since then, he has been an integral part of RCB’s core.
RCB’s Captaincy Evolution
Patidar’s appointment signals a new direction for RCB, a team that has seen some of cricket’s biggest names take charge over the years. Virat Kohli first led the franchise in 2011 as a stand-in for Daniel Vettori before assuming full-time captaincy in 2012, a role he held until 2021. Under his leadership, RCB made the playoffs in 2015 and reached the final in 2016, a season in which Kohli amassed a record-breaking 973 runs. He also guided the team to playoff berths in 2020 and 2021.
Following Kohli’s decision to step down, du Plessis took over and led RCB to playoff appearances in two of the last three seasons (2022-24). Kohli briefly returned as stand-in captain in 2023 when du Plessis was recovering from a rib injury, featuring only as an Impact Player.
What’s Next for RCB Under Patidar?
With a fresh face at the helm, RCB fans will be eager to see how Patidar shapes the team’s fortunes. Will he be the captain to finally lead the franchise to its long-elusive maiden IPL title? As the countdown to IPL 2025 begins, all eyes will be on RCB’s new leader and his ability to turn promise into silverware.
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