RCB Head Coach Andy Flower Endorses Rajat Patidar As New Captain For IPL 2025

February 13, 2025: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has entered a new phase with Rajat Patidar being appointed as the franchise’s captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The decision has been met with widespread support, including from RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower, who has expressed his confidence in Patidar’s leadership qualities.

Flower spoke highly of Patidar’s calm and composed nature, calling them key attributes for leading a high-pressure team like RCB. “Regarding Rajat, I liked his patience and simplicity. A player should have such qualities for a game like IPL. Rajat has the patience to observe everything calmly. No matter how many ups and downs he sees, he does not lose focus on the game,” Flower said.

The coach further emphasized that Patidar possesses all the essential traits required for leading a team in a major tournament like the IPL. “Rajat has all the qualifications to be a captain,” he added. Flower’s words reflect the trust that the management has placed in Patidar’s ability to rise to the occasion and lead RCB to their long-awaited IPL title.

With backing from senior players and the team’s management, Patidar now steps into a crucial role. Known for his solid batting skills, he has the weight of leading a squad full of talented players and is expected to guide the team towards its maiden IPL victory.

RCB has been home to some of the most iconic leaders in the IPL’s history, including Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis. Patidar’s appointment continues the franchise’s legacy of leadership, and the franchise’s faith in his abilities is evident. With his tactical awareness and fearless approach, Patidar will look to elevate RCB to the top and cement his place as one of the franchise’s memorable captains.

Patidar’s leadership experience extends to his role with Madhya Pradesh (MP), where he captained the team across all formats. His most notable achievement was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he led MP to the finals, contributing significantly with the bat. He scored 428 runs in 10 matches, at an average of 61.14, with a strike rate of over 186, ending as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.

Since joining RCB in 2022, Patidar has been one of the team’s standout performers. He has accumulated 799 runs in 24 innings at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84, with one century and seven fifties. His performance during the 2022 IPL eliminator, where he scored a match-winning century against Lucknow Super Giants, made him the first uncapped player to score a century in IPL playoffs.

Last season, Patidar was instrumental in RCB’s late surge to the playoffs, scoring 395 runs in 13 matches at an average of over 30 and a strike rate above 177. His fiery knocks were crucial in helping the team recover after a slow start to the season.

In addition to his IPL career, Patidar has made his mark on the international stage as well. He made his debut for India in the ODI format against South Africa in late 2023, where he played a crucial 22-run knock. While his Test career has had ups and downs, with a modest performance against England at home in 2024, Patidar’s overall impact and ability to deliver in high-stakes situations continue to make him a key player for both RCB and the Indian team.

As Patidar takes the reins for RCB in IPL 2025, all eyes will be on him to see if he can lead the team to a historic title, fulfilling the hopes of RCB fans who have long awaited the ultimate triumph in the IPL. With his calmness under pressure, solid leadership, and impressive batting skills, Patidar is ready to guide RCB to greater heights.