The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the IPL 2025 season. The Bengaluru franchise, which has been part of the tournament since its inception in 2008, hopes Patidar can lead them to their first-ever IPL title and end their long-standing trophy drought.
Patidar is the eighth captain to lead the Royal Challengers – a franchise that has traditionally relied on big-name players. He earned the role through his consistent performances for the franchise in the last few seasons. The middle-order batter also proved his captaincy credentials in domestic cricket.
He Has a Great Cricketing Brain – Rajat Patidar’s Former Captain
Rajat Patidar’s appointment as RCB captain was predicted by some fans and experts a few months ago. His former Madhya Pradesh captain and mentor, Devendra Bundela, stated that RCB made the right call, adding that Patidar can motivate teammates and support those around him.
“He has a great cricketing brain, which is why he has played to such a high level. RCB has made the absolute right call in making him the captain. He’ll do well, he has the captaincy talent in him. He’s very good with his teammates, helps everyone, and motivates everyone,” Bhundela told News18 CricketNext.
Bundela has witnessed Patidar’s growth from a young cricketer under his captaincy to leading MP to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. MP reached the final in the recent edition for the first time since 2010-11. He was the second-highest run-scorer of the 2024 season, amassing 428 runs in nine innings.
Rajat Is Quiet and Poised – Former India Cricketer Amay Khurasiya
Former India cricketer and batting coach of Rajat Patidar, Amay Khurasiya, described him as quiet and poised. Khurasiya stated that Patidar’s aggression comes from performance rather than through words or outward expressions.
“Everything that comes out with a lot of hyper moments, that’s not Rajat. Rajat is quiet and poised. He will take his pause, and you know, he’ll be the Lone Sentinel if it comes for his team to fight it out till the last breath,” Khurasiya said.
“He’s an outstanding boy, very honest, very committed, a man of few words, but very intense inside. People think aggression is always outside, in terms of the sort of sentences you speak, but this boy speaks less, but he has a lot of intensity from inside. And his body is always outstanding.”
“Some people don’t have to speak, but they are Royal. He’s a man with fewer words, but he’s Royal. He is an outstanding guy with a lot of poise, and he is the one who will be placid amid noise and haste. So I think he is a good choice for RCB,” he added.
Rajat Patidar Played a Crucial Role in RCB Reaching Playoffs in 2024
The Bengaluru team reached the playoffs in the 2024 season but were eliminated after losing to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator. Rajat Patidar played a crucial role in their campaign. He scored 395 runs at an average of 30.38 and an impressive strike rate of 177.13, including five half-centuries.
Patidar will make his debut as an IPL captain in the 2025 season. As RCB continues its hunt for a maiden title, the team will be hoping his leadership can finally break their long-standing trophy drought.