RCB Names Rajat Patidar As New Captain

The wait is over, RCB fans. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) officially named Rajat Patidar their captain for the IPL 2025 season. This bold move by the RCB management tries a fresh energy and new leadership for the franchise.

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The Virat Kohli Factor

Virat Kohli, the face of RCB, was retained for a whopping Rs 21 crore. Naturally, fans speculated if he would reclaim the captaincy. But RCB chose to back Patidar, a player who has steadily carved his place in the team.

RCB X handle announce their new captain

The next captain of RCB is… Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the past, will be a game-changer for RCB. Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s hear it for our Spin Basher, the cool and composed, 𝗥𝗮𝗷𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿!

The next captain of RCB is…

Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

Patidar’s Journey: From Underdog to Leader

2021: A forgettable debut. Just 71 runs in four matches.
2022: A redemption story. Signed as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia for INR 20 lakh, he smashed 333 runs. His crowning moment? A stunning 112* in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens.
2023: Sat out due to injury. A setback, but not the end.
2024: A strong comeback. 395 runs. An average of 30.38. A blistering strike rate of 177.13.

ಬಹುಪರಾಕ್ ಹೇಳೋ ಸಮಯ ಬಂದಿದೆ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು! 🙌🔥

ಈಗ ಪದಗ್ರಹಣ ಮಾಡ್ತಿರೋ ನಿಮ್ಮ ತಂಡದ ಅಧಿಪತಿ, ನಾಯಕ ರಜತ್ ಮನೋಹರ್ ಪಾಟಿದಾರ್! 👑💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBCaptain #Rajat #RajatPatidar #IPL2025 #PatidarPattabhisheka pic.twitter.com/NDf8EjIl2H

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

What’s Next for RCB in IPL 2025?

Patidar, now a core part of the RCB setup, has played 27 matches and racked up 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85. That’s firepower. But can he lead RCB to their first IPL trophy? The expectations? Sky-high.

A lovely message from Virat Kohli to Rajat Patidar:

“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat”: Virat Kohli “The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved.”