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In a major leadership transition, Rajat Patidar has been named the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The 31-year-old middle-order batter will take charge of the franchise after the release of Faf du Plessis, who led the team in previous seasons. The official announcement was made at an event at the KSCA Stadium on Thursday, February 13.
A New Era for RCB
RCB faced a leadership void after releasing du Plessis, and Patidar emerged as the top candidate to take over the captaincy. Having led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this season, Patidar has already showcased his leadership skills in domestic cricket. He will now become the eighth player to captain RCB in IPL history.
Patidar made his IPL debut in 2021 and has been a crucial part of RCB’s middle order since then. A batter known for his aggressive stroke play and ability to dominate both pace and spin, he has played 27 matches, amassing 799 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.85. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB retained him alongside Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal, securing his services for INR 11 Crore.
RCB’s Captaincy Timeline
Patidar’s appointment marks a significant shift for RCB, who have been led by Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis in recent years.
- Virat Kohli took over full-time captaincy in 2012, leading RCB until 2021. Under his leadership, RCB made the playoffs multiple times and finished as runners-up in 2016, when Kohli scored a record-breaking 973 runs.
- Faf du Plessis was appointed captain in 2022, guiding the team to two playoff appearances. Kohli stepped in as stand-in skipper for three matches in 2023, when du Plessis was recovering from a rib injury.
With Patidar at the helm, RCB is entering a new phase, aiming to end their long-standing quest for an IPL trophy. His aggressive mindset, domestic leadership experience, and strong IPL performances make him a promising choice to lead the franchise in IPL 2025.
