Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Rajat Patidar has been named as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). It is a decision that may have come as a surprise to some given Virat Kohli was widely tipped to take back the captaincy after the franchise decided not to retain Faf du Plessis, but many have also praised the move.
Patidar led Madhya Pradesh in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he had a superb tournament. The batsman smashed 428 runs at an average of 61.14 and strike rate of 186.08, including five fifties in nine innings.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru where the announcement was made, RCB coach Andy Flower said Rajat Patidar had some great qualities that swayed the franchise name him captain.
“I could speak for quite a long time about Rajat, but I’ve settled on three main things that I thought might be interesting to share,” Flower said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“The first one is there’s a calmness and a simplicity to Rajat that I think will stand him in really good stead as a leader and a captain, particularly in the IPL.
“The second thing I’d say about him, he’s inherently quite a quiet guy, but observing him, he cares about the people around him, he cares about the people that he plays with, that he shares a dressing room with.
“And then the third thing that stands out for me about him is that he’s got a stubbornness and a strength and a steeliness about him. I’ve seen it myself when I’m trying to coach him in the nets and he won’t listen to me, but you see it in the way that he plays. You see the bravery with which he takes on the game and I think that quality within him will be really important for him through the ups and downs, the inevitable ups and downs that come along with playing in the IPL, and now stepping up another gear into leading a big franchise in the IPL.”
Reactions: Virat Kohli and fans react to RCB naming Rajat Patidar as captain for IPL 2025
Virat Kohli congratulated Rajat Patidar on his appointment as captain of the franchise. Kohli, who captained RCB in 143 games, asked everyone to get behind Patidar and support him.
“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB all over India and they get really excited to watch you play,” Kohli said in a video released by RCB. “I’ve seen Rajat evolve in the last couple of years as a player. He has got the chance to play for India. His game has improved many levels in the last couple of years.
“The way he has led his state team as well and the responsibility that he’s taken and has shown everyone that he has what it takes to lead this amazing franchise and I just wish him all the very best and I would request all the fans to show him absolute support, get right behind him and know that he will always and always do what’s best for the team, what’s best for this franchise.”
Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the decision by RCB. There were debates as to whether he is the right candidate, with eyes firmly on RCB as they seek their first IPL men’s title.
RCB will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on March 22.
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