Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025, which begins on March 21. The development was contrary to wide speculation that Virat Kohli would lead RCB again after they did not retain Faf du Plessis,

Patidar, 31, has played for RCB for three seasons. He has played three Tests and one one-day international for India. He also captains his state Madhya Pradesh in white-ball cricket but has not previously taken charge in the IPL.

Rajat Patidar was named as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, succeeding South African Faf du Plessis in the role.

Mo Bobat has confirmed that despite Rajat Patidar's appointment as captain, Virat Kohli will maintain a significant leadership role within the team.

Virat Kohli holds the record for leading RCB in the most IPL games. He first captained the team in 2011 in Vettori’s absence and was appointed as the full-time captain in the 2013 season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Meanwhile, the strategic decision has received strong backing from RCB's head coach, Andy Flower.

Patidar represents Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit and has emerged as a middle-order enforcer for RCB in the last few years.

He amassed 395 runs in IPL 2024 and this breakout season earned him a lucrative Rs 11 crore (Rs 110 million) contract, making him one of three players RCB retained alongside Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal.