Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has announced Rajat Patidar as their captain for IPL 2025, starting March 21.
This decision comes as a surprise to many, as Virat Kohli, who led the franchise from 2013 to 2021, was widely expected to reclaim the role after RCB did not retain Faf du Plessis, their captain from 2022-2024.
Here’s a breakdown of the factors influencing RCB’s choice:
1. Reducing Pressure on Virat Kohli:
- Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes RCB made a smart move by not burdening Virat Kohli with captaincy responsibilities. Manjrekar suggested that allowing Kohli to play without the added pressure of leadership could unlock his full potential.
- Manjrekar highlighted that Virat Kohli could perform at his best without the responsibility of captaincy.
2. Rajat Patidar’s Leadership Experience:
- Despite not having prior IPL captaincy experience, Rajat Patidar captained his state team, Madhya Pradesh, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2024-25 season.
- Patidar led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- This domestic captaincy experience signals that Patidar possesses leadership skills and the ability to handle responsibility.
3. Patidar’s Importance to RCB:
- RCB retained Patidar as one of their key players ahead of the mega auction, demonstrating their faith in his abilities.
- Since joining RCB in 2021, Patidar has become a crucial batter, scoring 799 runs in 28 matches with a strike rate of 158.85.
- In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Patidar was the second-highest run-scorer with 428 runs in nine innings at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate of 186.08.
RCB’s decision to appoint Patidar was announced at an event attended by team director Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower.
By choosing Patidar, RCB is likely aiming to foster a fresh leadership approach while allowing Kohli to focus solely on his batting.
