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.

RCB have appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain for IPL 2025, despite speculation that Virat Kohli would return to the role after Faf du Plessis’ departure. This is Patidar’s first time as an IPL captain.

Rajat Patidar steps into the role of captain for Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025. Revered for his tactical prowess and impressive batting, Patidar aims to lead the team to its first IPL victory.

Rajat Patidar, a rising star within the team, has been named captain — and none other than Virat Kohli has given him his full backing. At an event in Bengaluru on Thursday, RCB officially announced Patidar as their new skipper,