In a move that caught many by surprise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced on February 13 that Rajat Patidar will lead the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 31-year-old right-handed batter from Madhya Pradesh, who debuted in the IPL in 2021, was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction for a hefty sum of Rs 11 crore. With this appointment, Rajat Patidar becomes the eighth captain in RCB’s history, taking over in the world’s most lucrative T20 league.
Fans had widely speculated that Virat Kohli might return to the captaincy, but RCB instead placed its trust in Patidar, who has shown promise both in domestic and international cricket. Since making his India debut in December 2023 in an ODI against South Africa, he has accumulated 799 IPL runs in 27 matches. Despite missing the 2023 season due to injury, he made a strong comeback last year, scoring 395 runs in 15 games.
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, now serving as RCB’s batting coach and mentor, shed light on the reasoning behind the decision. Speaking on a show, Karthik highlighted Patidar’s successful stint as Madhya Pradesh’s captain in domestic cricket as a key factor.
“The way he led Madhya Pradesh during the domestic season was fantastic. Players had a lot of good things to say about his leadership. That really encouraged us,” Karthik said. “With a fresh group of players and a new cycle ahead, we felt Rajat was the right choice.”
Patidar proved his leadership credentials by captaining Madhya Pradesh to the final of the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He was a standout performer, amassing 428 runs at a staggering strike rate of 186.08 and an average of 61.14 in 10 matches, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. His explosive knocks included an unbeaten 66 off 29 balls in the semifinal against Delhi and a scintillating 81 from 40 balls in the final against Mumbai.
With Patidar at the helm, RCB embarks on a new journey, hoping to finally claim their maiden IPL title. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Patidar’s leadership will be under the spotlight when the 2025 season gets underway.
