Rajat Patidar Appointed as RCB Captain for IPL 2025: A Surprise Move That Brings Fresh Leadership to the Franchise
In a surprising move, Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has appointed 31-year-old batter Rajat Patidar as their new captain for IPL 2025. The announcement was made on February 13, and it marks a new era for the franchise, which has been struggling to find consistency in recent years.
Patidar, who made his IPL debut in 2021 and has 799 runs to his name in 27 matches played, has been with RCB since 2021 and was retained by the franchise for Rs 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The appointment of Patidar as captain is a significant move by RCB, as it brings in a new leader who has already gained experience in international cricket. Patidar made his international debut for India in December 2023 and has already played in several matches for the national team.
According to former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is associated with RCB as batting coach and mentor, two main reasons led to Patidar’s appointment as captain. Karthik hinted that Patidar’s impressive leadership skills and ability to connect with the team were key factors in RCB’s decision.
"Rajat has very well led Madhya Pradesh in the domestic season, and the players had to say a lot of good things about the way he led the side, so because of that, the RCB team management decided to give him the charge," Karthik said during a recent interview on Cricbuzz’s Hey CB with DK show.
Karthik also highlighted Patidar’s experience as a leader in the domestic tournaments, where he has captained the Madhya Pradesh team to a runner-up finish in the 2024 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. In the tournament, he scored 428 runs at an average of 61.14 and strike rate of 186.08, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the competition.
Patidar’s appointment as captain is a new beginning for RCB, which has struggled to find consistency in the past few years. The franchise has not won an IPL title since 2016 and has had several captains in the past, including Virat Kohli, who was expected to take charge again in 2025. Kohli’s fate is unclear at this point, but Patidar’s appointment at least provides a fresh perspective for the franchise.
With this new captain, RCB hopes to turn the page and start a new chapter, focusing on leadership, team building, and on-field performance. Patidar’s experience, skills, and leadership qualities will be crucial in shaping the franchise’s future and helping them overcome the challenges in the upcoming IPL season.
Summary of the Story:
- Rajat Patidar, a 31-year-old Indian batter, has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2025.
- Patidar made his IPL debut in 2021 and has 799 runs to his name in 27 matches played, retaining by RCB for Rs 11 crore.
- He has also represented India in international cricket, making his debut in December 2023.
- RCB’s batting coach and mentor, Dinesh Karthik, revealed two reasons for Patidar’s appointment: his leadership skills and experience in domestic cricket.
- Patidar has captained Madhya Pradesh in domestic tournaments, including the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he scored 428 runs at an average of 61.14 and strike rate of 186.08.
- The appointment of Patidar brings a fresh perspective to RCB, which has struggled to find consistency in recent years.
