New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru appointed Rajat Patidar as their captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League that is scheduled to begin from March 1 after considering to bring back Virat Kohli to lead them.
Patidar began to play for RCB in 2021 but was released before the 2022 auction only to be remain unsold and returned to the side as a replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia in IPL 2022.
He scored a century against Lucknow Super Giants to make an instant impression and led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Since then the right-arm batter has gone from strength to strength, scoring 799 runs in 27 matches at a strike rate of 158.85, including seven half centuries and a hundred.
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
RCB shelled out Rs 11 crore to retain him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction last year.
Patidar became the eighth captain of RCB after Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis.
Patidar succeeds du Plessis and received a ceremonial blazer and cap from head coach Andy Flower.
“Who is our next captain? It is a critical decision for the RCB. We have had legends. This decision is not easily at all. It was deliberated internally and externally. We feel the decision is good for the franchise – over the next couple of years,” RCB COO Rajesh Menon said at an event in Bengaluru on Thursday.
𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌
“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.”… pic.twitter.com/dgjDLm8ZCN
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
‘Well desrved’
“Wish you all the very best. The way you’ve grown, you’ve made a place in the hearts of fans all over India. This is very well deserved. Myself and other team members will be behind you. It is a big responsibility. To be seen who will take the franchise forward is a big honour for you. I am sure you will grow strength to strength,” Kohli, who led the team from 2013 to 2021, said in a video message.
“He’s evolved, his game has improved many levels. He has led the state team. He has shown what it takes to lead the franchise. I request fans to show him support, and know he will do what is best for the team. Regardless of what happens, what is most important is the team and the franchise. Sending my best wishes to the team, franchise and look forward to working everyone.”
Flower explained the rationale behind picking Patidar to lead the side.
“First, there is a calmness and simplicity that is needed in the IPL. It will serve him really well. The second thing, he’s quiet but he cares about the people he’s around. That means he will instantly have the respect and care from other people, as a leader, people will follow behind him. The third, he has a stubborn and steeliness about him. You see it in the way he plays, takes on the game,” he said.
Rajat Patidar becomes the eighth captain of RCB after Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
