IPL | Rajat Patidar anointed RCB skipper to keep Virat Kohli dreams on hold

‌The Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the eighth IPL franchise to announce their skipper for the 2025 season amidst much anticipation with Rajat Patidar set to take charge for the first time in franchise history. The revelation occurred at an event in Bengaluru titled "RCB Captain Yaaru" along with a video on social media showcasing audio bites from the different men to have led the team over the years, namely full-time skippers Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat kohli, and Faf du Plessis as well as stand-in skipper Shane Watson.

Even though Patidar has never led in the IPL before, he has captained domestic side Madhya Pradesh 16 times in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and won on 12 of those occassion while losing four times. In 2024, Patidar had guided the team all the way to the final for just the second time in their history but ended up second-best to Mumbai.

In fact, this is only the second time RCB have appointed a budding Indian in the role after Virat Kohli in 2013, who had stepped down in 2021 citing workload and pressure management as the reasons for his decision. The veteran was expected to return to the role in what could be his last dance with Bengaluru and add to his 143 games as RCB captain in the IPL, during which he led the team to four playoffs including their third finals appearance in 2016 where they succumbed to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, when he had last served in a stand-in capacity for three games in the 2023, Kohli had expressed his desire to continue contributing to the team as a player rather than angle for the armband. 

"Rajat, firstly I want to congratulate you and wish you the very best. The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of RCB fans all over India and they get really excited to watch you play. This is very well deserved,” Kohli said after the revelation.

"Myself and the other team members will be right behind you and you will have all out support to grow in the role. It is a big responsibility -- I have done it for a lot of years and Faf has done it for the last few years -- to be seen as the guy that takes the team forward. I am sure it is a huge honour for you and I am very very happy for you. You have earned the right to be in this position and I am sure you will grow from strength to strength," Kohli added.

"I have seen Rajat to evolve in the last couple of players as a player, he has got the chance to play for India. His game has improved many levels. The way he has led his state team as well and the responsibility he has taken, he has shown what it takes to lead this amazing franchise. I would request all the fans to show him absolute support, get right behind him, and know that he will always do what is best for the team."