Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar has emerged as the leading contender to take over the captaincy of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. With Virat Kohli reportedly uninterested in reclaiming the role he vacated in 2021, the franchise has been forced to rethink its leadership strategy.
According to a leading publication, RCB had structured their IPL 2025 auction plans around the assumption that Virat Kohli would once again lead the side. However, strong indications from the former skipper have led the management to explore alternative options. Discussions with senior Indian players within the RCB setup have played a crucial role in this shift, with Patidar now seen as the frontrunner. Another candidate under consideration is former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya. RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik has reportedly been instrumental in the captaincy search.
The franchise is expected to officially announce its decision on Thursday, February 13, during a scheduled online event at 11:30 AM. Several key figures, including director Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower, and Karthik, are expected to be in attendance.
RCB parted ways with former captain Faf du Plessis and did not aggressively pursue experienced leadership options in the auction, such as Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, or Rishabh Pant. Instead, they retained Patidar for Rs. 11 crore, recognizing his contributions in guiding Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, where he finished as the top scorer despite a losing effort.
Krunal Pandya, who was signed for Rs. 5.75 crore, has also proven his leadership credentials with Baroda. Despite some controversies, he has led the side admirably, often helping them exceed expectations.
As a player, Rajat Patidar has already cemented his place in RCB’s middle order, and if chosen as captain, he will be tasked with leading the franchise toward its elusive maiden IPL title.
