Rajat Patidar Appointed as New Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2025

Rajat Patidar has been named the new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. The 31-year-old cricketer, who takes over from Faf du Plessis, expressed his excitement and readiness to embrace leadership while learning from RCB legend Virat Kohli.

PATIDAR'S VISION AS RCB CAPTAIN

Patidar shared his thoughts on leadership in a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing his approach to managing the team. Although not known for being overly expressive, he believes in creating a supportive environment for his players. "I am aware of the situation in the matches. My role is to back my players, stand by them in all situations, and ensure that they feel relaxed and confident," he said.

Patidar acknowledged the importance of the experienced players in the RCB squad, whose guidance would help him grow as a leader. "We have a group of leaders in the team, and their ideas and experiences will certainly help me in my new leadership role," he added. He also expressed his eagerness to continue his batting partnership with Kohli, with whom he has shared the crease in numerous matches. "I know Virat well, and we're looking forward to continuing our partnership with the bat as well."

PREPARATION FOR CAPTAINCY: PATIDAR'S JOURNEY

Patidar's appointment did not come as a surprise, as the player had been considering captaincy roles before the IPL. Last year, he captained Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. "Before taking on the captaincy of RCB, I wanted to gain experience with the state team. I had discussions with Mo (Bobat), and I mentioned my desire to captain Madhya Pradesh first," he said.

As the IPL auction approached, it became clear that Patidar and Kohli were the two top candidates for the RCB captaincy. "When I found out that either Virat or I could take the reins, I was thrilled," he shared.

SUPPORT FROM RCB'S COACHING STAFF

RCB's head coach, Andy Flower, provided insight into the pre-auction discussions regarding the captaincy. "When speaking to Virat, I was impressed by the integrity and maturity he showed. His energy and enthusiasm for the upcoming IPL season with RCB stood out," Flower said.

Flower also noted the strong bond between Patidar and Kohli, highlighting the importance of this relationship for the team. "Virat has a great respect for Rajat, both as a person and a player. Their relationship will be key to RCB's success," Flower added.

Reflecting on the team's performance last season, Flower expressed admiration for Patidar's support for Faf du Plessis during challenging times. "Patidar's support for Faf when the team struggled in the first half of the season further enhanced my respect for him."

A COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP APPROACH

When questioned about considering other players, such as KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer, for the captaincy, Flower explained that RCB focused on assembling the right team rather than just seeking an external leader. "We trusted our internal options. Both Rajat and Virat were strong candidates, and we were confident in their leadership abilities," said Flower.

Flower also expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the IPL auction, emphasizing that the focus was on building a well-rounded squad rather than solely chasing high-profile names. "We were pleased with the players we brought in, and we were never under pressure to make decisions based on big names," he concluded.

With Rajat Patidar at the helm, RCB fans can expect a fresh leadership approach and a team focused on collaboration and growth.