IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar named RCB captain as Virat Kohli declines

One of the most popular franchises Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced the rising India batter Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) season. Notably, the Bengaluru-based franchise revealed its major decision on Thursday, February 13, after Virat Kohli was deemed to take over the reins once again.

However, Kohli was not interested in leading the side once again after the former skipper Faf du Plessis was not retained during the IPL mega auctions. RCB held a press conference to end all the speculations around the new in charge of the side. For the uninitiated, Kohli had led Bengaluru between 2011 and 2023, respectively.

During his long tenure with the franchise as captain. even though RCB failed to win an IPL title, the year 2016 turned out to be one of the best years for Kohli as he led the franchise to the final. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) denied them to realise their dream of IPL glory.

Meanwhile, speaking of Rajat Patidar, the dynamic batter has gained some valuable leadership experience by captaining Madhya Pradesh (MP) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy aka SMAT. Patidar led MP to the final of the premier domestic T20 cricket competition. He also led the side in the coveted Vijay Hazare Trophy. Hence, after Kohli, he was deemed fit to take the mantle from du Plessis as RCB did not pick any player in specific who possesses leadership qualities.

Besides, while announcing the new skipper for the franchise, Mo Bobat, the RCB team director shed light on why Kohli was not given another stint as a captain. Bobat called the Indian legend the natural leader of the side while also not ruling out that he was in the mix for captaincy.

"Virat doesn't need captaincy title to lead the team, he was of course an option for captaincy. He sets the tone right. We had a discussion with Virat in Ahmedabad. He is happy for Rajat," Bobat said during the press conference.

Check out RCB's new captain announcement post here:

The next captain of RCB is…

Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

Kohli congratulated Patidar on his elevation as RCB captain

Shortly after RCB confirmed Patidar as captain, the former skipper of the IPL franchise and India stalwart Virat Kohli came forward to pass on his hearty congratulations and a heartwarming message for the newly-appointed captain. Kohli lauded the youngster for his unwavering dedication towards the game and how he has fared for the franchise until now.

Check out Virat Kohli's message for Rajat Patidar here:

Virat Kohli said - "I request all the fans to support Rajat Patidar. He earns this position. So support Rajat and RCB team as a family". #Rcbcaptain #RCBPodcast #IPL2025 #RajatPatidar #virat #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/AvN1WAUPgL

— vijaysurya25062002 (@surya2506234659) February 13, 2025

Moreover, he also emphasized that he would support Patidar all out in the upcoming IPL 2025. Besides, he also hoped that other teammates of Royal Challengers Bengaluru would back him to lead the side efficiently and with a great deal of planning in his new role.

"Rajat, I want to congratulate you, on the way you have grown in this franchise, you have made a place in the hearts of fans of RCB all over India. This is very well deserved, I tell you that myself and the other team members will be right behind you. Show him absolute support, get right behind him, he will always do what's best for the team, best for the franchise," Kohli said on the RCB podcast.

"I’m not someone who holds onto things more than I should. Even if I know I can do a lot more, if I’m not going to enjoy the process, I’m not going to do it. I wanted some space and I wanted to manage my workload and the story ends there," the former RCB captain concluded.

Also Read- Every ground I've been to in India, they start chanting RCB, RCB: Jacob Bethell

Full RCB squad for IPL 2025:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.