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. Speculation was rife that former India captain Virat Kohli would return as the captain of the side he led from 2013-21 before du Plessis took over.

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.

RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates - Virat Kohli - Rajat Patidar - Krunal Pandya - Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain - IPL 2025: Ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in November 2024, RCB retained Rajat Patidar for ₹11 crore,

Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, succeeding Faf du Plessis. With a strong record in domestic cricket, Patidar has earned backing from former captain Virat Kohli.

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.

Rajat Patidar has taken over as RCB skipper from Faf Du Plessis, who was released ahead of last year's mega auction.