IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar Appointed as Captain Of Royal Challengers Bengaluru

February 13, 2025: Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, marking an exciting new chapter for the franchise. Patidar, known for his explosive batting and solid technical skills, will now lead RCB in their bid for an IPL title. His appointment continues the tradition of great leaders who have captained RCB in the past, including legends like Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis.

The RCB franchise has seen some of cricket’s most influential figures at the helm, and Patidar’s elevation reflects the team’s belief in his leadership capabilities. With his tactical awareness and aggressive playing style, he will look to take RCB to new heights and become one of the franchise’s most iconic captains. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Patidar embraces the captaincy challenge and leads the team toward their elusive IPL title.

Patidar’s leadership experience is well-established, having captained the Madhya Pradesh (MP) team across all formats. Under his leadership, MP reached the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he played a crucial role in their success, scoring 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.14, with a strike rate of over 186. His dynamic batting, particularly against spin, and his ability to hit sixes make him a dangerous player, and his strong performances have earned him recognition in domestic cricket.

Since joining RCB in 2022, Patidar has proven himself as one of the standout Indian talents, amassing 799 runs in 24 innings at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84, including a century and seven fifties. His remarkable knock of 112* against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2022 IPL eliminator made him the first uncapped player to score a century in the IPL playoffs. Last season, he scored 395 runs in 13 matches, maintaining an average of over 30 and a strike rate above 177, playing a key role in RCB’s playoff run after a slow start to the season.

Patidar has also made his mark on the international stage, playing an ODI and three Tests for India. He made his international debut against South Africa in late 2023, scoring a quickfire 22 runs. However, his Test debut against England last year was less successful, with only 63 runs from six innings, with a best score of 32.

With a blend of leadership experience, domestic success, and growing international recognition, Rajat Patidar’s appointment as RCB captain has created a buzz, and fans are hopeful that he can guide the team to their first IPL title in the upcoming season.