What Factors Led to Rajat Patidar's Appointment as RCB Captain?
In a rather surprising turn of events, Rajat Patidar has been appointed the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025. Most of the anticipations on the captainship of RCB were centered on top star player, Virat Kohli, who would have yet again returned with an expectation to grab full leadership owing to the release of their captain from 2022-2024, Faf du Plessis. The RCB management chose to ring in the changes by handing over the command baton to Patidar to take the franchise forward.
This call has sparked a huge discussion, with fans and experts eager to find out the reasoning behind choosing Patidar over Kohli. RCB head coach Andy Flower and team director Mo Bobat have disclosed what made Patidar the ideal choice for the captaincy role. Let us examine the main reasons behind Rajat Patidar being chosen as the captain of RCB.
Rajat Patidar: RCB's 8th Captain
As the selection came to light, Rajat Patidar became RCB’s eighth captain in their history. The right-handed batter was with RCB from 2021 until now, playing 28 games and scoring 799 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 158.85.
His impeccable ability to anchor an inning and accelerate when it is the need of the hour has made him an important part of RCB’s batting lineup. Although his retention prior to the IPL 2025 mega auction proved how crucial he was in the team, promotion to captaincy surprised one and all.
RCB has traditionally depended on foreign captains like Faf du Plessis and Daniel Vettori, but with this call, they are turning towards a young Indian leadership group.
Why Did RCB Choose Rajat Patidar as Captain?
- Calmness Under Pressure
RCB head coach Andy Flower pointed out that one of the greatest strengths of Patidar is that he is calm and cool in situations of extreme pressure.
“There’s a calmness and simplicity to Rajat that will stand him in good stead as a leader, particularly in the IPL. The IPL is one of the premier competitions in the world, and the pressures involved are immense. His simple demeanor and ability to stay composed will help him handle the challenges of the tournament,” said Flower.
This is a vital and one of the most desirable traits for a captain, particularly when it comes to sports, pressure leagues such as the IPL, where the situation can change within a span of a few balls.
- Leadership Presence
Patidar not just maintains respect in the dressing room, but on field too. His leadership skills were witnessed when he led Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“We watched Rajat very closely when he captained Madhya Pradesh, and we liked his leadership qualities. He cares about his teammates, and that respect and care are essential as a leader,” Flower added.
His ability to gel with players and lead by example was one of the major reasons behind picking him for RCB.
- Mental Toughness and Resilience
The next determining factor in favor of Patidar was mental strength. The fact that he could handle challenges, struggle through difficult moments, and recover from failures made him the right person.
“He’s got a stubbornness and steel about him. You see it in the way he plays—how he takes on the game. That quality will be vital for him as he navigates the inevitable ups and downs of the IPL season,” said Flower.
As RCB looked to build a squad with a hard-nosed mentality, Patidar’s tenacity made him the perfect choice.
Patidar’s Leadership Credentials and Recent Form
While this will be Patidar’s first time as an IPL captain, his record in domestic cricket is replete with examples of his leadership acumen.
To date, in nine innings, Patidar amassed 428 runs at a strike rate of 186.08 and an average of 61.14 at SMAT 2025, being the second highest run-scorer.
Coming to Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored a total of 226 runs with a strike rate of 107.10 and an average of 56.50.
His capability to perform under pressure and lead by example through his own performance made him a natural fit for RCB captaincy.
RCB’s IPL Title Drought and the Road Ahead
RCB has a vast fanfare but has never managed to win the IPL title. The franchise has played 3 finals (2009, 2011, and 2016) but has failed to become victors each time.
RCB staged a thriller comeback at IPL 2024 to book the last playoff. By winning all their final league matches, the franchise managed to qualify for playoffs. But they were knocked out in the Eliminator.
By choosing Patidar, RCB is making a strategic shift towards youthful leadership. Even while Kohli remains the key man for the side, the franchise opted for a different path to break out of the title drought.
Why Not Virat Kohli? Mo Bobat Explains
Team director Mo Bobat, nonetheless, made clear that though Kohli was a choice, the administration felt Patidar was the most suitable:
“Of course, Virat was an option. That goes without saying, and I know that the fans would have probably leaned towards Virat. But Virat doesn’t need a captaincy title to lead. Leadership is one of his strongest instincts, and he leads by example in everything he does,” said Bobat.
Bobat also pointed out that the team wanted an Indian captain because of the nature of the IPL:
“We felt strongly that an Indian captain was preferable because it’s an Indian competition on Indian pitches, played against predominantly Indian players.”
Even though Kohli will no longer be the official captain, he will still play a crucial leadership role in the team.
Virat Kohli’s Support for Patidar
Even Kohli himself supported the recruitment of Patidar. Kohli wished Patidar and requested the fans to support him in a video shared by RCB.
“The way Rajat has grown in this franchise and performed, he has made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. He has led his state team well and shown that he has what it takes to lead this franchise,” Kohli said.
Kohli’s recommendation further cements Patidar as the ideal candidate to be a captain.
Conclusion – A New Era for RCB
With Rajat Patidar’s appointment as captain, a new chapter beckons for RCB. His captaincy skills, calmness, and mental strength made him the ideal choice to captain the side in IPL 2025.
Even as Virat Kohli is still the core leader, Patidar has his chance now to make a mark as a top-level captain. Whether or not this gamble will pay off in the long term and bring RCB its first IPL title is yet to be seen, but it indicates a new beginning for the team.
As fans of RCB look forward to IPL 2025, all eyes are going to be on Rajat Patidar, the new face of the team.
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