IPL 2025: RCB name Rajat Patidar, and not Virat Kohli, the new captain

Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced middle-order batter Rajat Patidar as their captain for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Former skipper Faf du Plessis was released by the RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 auction last year, and the franchise did not exercise the Right to Match option either to get him back during the auction. The South African star, who led the Bengaluru side to the playoffs in IPL 2024, was eventually bought by the Delhi Capitals.

RCB’s decision had led to speculations that they would be looking to hand over the captaincy to their star player and former captain Virat Kohli, who had led the team since 2013 before stepping down in 2021.

However, the franchise seems to have opted for a fresh change in guard by appointing Patidar, who was among the players RCB retained players before last year's mega auction. The 31-year-old was bought by the franchise in 2022.

Patidar has led Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) – he led the team into the final where they lost to Mumbai by five wickets last year – and Vijay Hazare Trophy (ODI). He was also the second highest run-scorer in the SMAT, amassing 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61 and a strike-rate of 186.08.

RCB also posted a video of Kohli, who led the RCB in 143 matches, congratulating Patidar. "Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat," Kohli said in a video statement shared by the franchise.