IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar beats Virat Kohli to become the new RCB captain

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced their new captain for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Middle-order batter Rajat Patidar will be the team's new captain and will replace Faf du Plessis in the role.

Rajat Patidar was among the contenders for the role of RCB's captaincy alongside Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Phil Salt. However, the team management has decided to show faith in Patidar after his impressive performances for the franchise over the years.

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Rajat Patidar beats Virat Kohli for next RCB captain

After months of discussions and meetings, the RCB team management decided to appoint Rajat Patidar as the new RCB captain. The announcement was made through the franchise's social media account.

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

It is a surprising decision given Virat Kohli was considered as the frontrunner to take over the role after the franchise didn't bid for Faf du Plessis in the IPL 2025 auction.

Kohli has led RCB previously as well and is possibly the most influential player in the team. However, the team management has decided to go with a younger option with an eye on the future.

Rajat Patidar's IPL numbers

Rajat Patidar has a good IPL record. The right-handed middle order batter has played 27 matches and scored 799 runs so far at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84 with 1 hundred and 7 fifties.

The 31-year-old is known to be a brilliant player of spin bowling and is credited for game against the slow bowlers in the middle overs. He has the ability to hit big sixes off the spinners despite being shorter in height.

Patidar joined RCB in 2021 and has been an incredible player for the franchise since. He played just four matches in the first season but started getting more opportunities from IPL 2022. He missed the entire IPL 2023 season due to injury but came back strongly in the next season.

Golden period for Rajat Patidar

IPL 2022 was his best in terms of individual performances. He struck 333 runs in 8 matches at an average of 55.50 and a brilliant strike rate of 152.75. He even scored a blistering century that year.

In the last season, the right-hander scored 395 runs in 15 matches at an average of 30.38 and a stunning strike rate of 177.13. The talented batter was instrumental in RCB's road to the playoffs despite struggling at one point.

Patidar's appointment for the role also means Virat Kohli won't be leading RCB again after the speculations that he might be back for the role.