Who is Rajat Patidar: The New Captain of RCB || Rajat Patidar IPL

Virat Kohli Backs Rajat Patidar as RCB’s New Captain: "He Has Everything It Takes"

Virat Kohli has expressed his strong support for Rajat Patidar, the newly appointed captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), predicting a long and successful tenure for him in the leadership role. Patidar, who was among the three players retained by RCB ahead of last year’s mega auction, officially took over the captaincy from Faf du Plessis last month.

Speaking at the RCB Unbox event in Bengaluru, where the franchise unveiled its 2025 squad, Kohli praised Patidar's skills and leadership potential.

"Rajat is an exceptional talent," Kohli remarked. "We all recognize his ability as a player, but what sets him apart is his temperament. He has the mindset required to lead, and I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job guiding this franchise forward."

About Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar, born on June 1, 1993, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is an Indian cricketer renowned for his right-handed top-order batting and occasional off-spin bowling. He represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.

Initially unsold in the 2022 IPL auction, Patidar joined RCB as a mid-season replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia. He seized this opportunity spectacularly, notably scoring an unbeaten 112 off 54 balls against the Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 IPL Eliminator. This remarkable innings made him the first uncapped player to score a century in the IPL playoffs. Over the seasons, Patidar's contributions have been instrumental in RCB's campaigns, culminating in his appointment as the team's captain for the 2025 season, succeeding Faf du Plessis.

A Leader in the Making

Patidar was first approached for the captaincy role following IPL 2024. To prepare him for this new responsibility, he was given the reins of the Madhya Pradesh team in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Under his leadership, Madhya Pradesh made it to the tournament final, with Patidar playing a pivotal role. He amassed 428 runs in nine innings at a striking rate of 186.08, hitting an impressive 27 sixes, the second-most in the competition.

The Challenge of Leadership

Former RCB legend AB de Villiers, who shared the dressing room with Patidar during his debut IPL season in 2021, believes that stepping into the shoes of previous captains like Kohli and du Plessis will be both an opportunity and a challenge.

"The biggest hurdle for Rajat will be self-doubt," de Villiers noted during a JioStar media session. "When you have leaders like Virat around, it's natural to second-guess yourself—'Am I making the right decision? What would Virat do in this situation?' But he needs to trust his instincts. He should leverage the experience of Virat and head coach Andy Flower while staying true to his own leadership style."

Why RCB Chose Patidar as Captain

RCB’s head coach Andy Flower, when announcing Patidar’s appointment, highlighted three key traits that made him the ideal choice:

1. Composure Under Pressure – "Rajat has a calm and composed personality, which is crucial in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. His ability to remain level-headed will serve him well as a leader."

2. Strong Team Ethos – "Though he is naturally quiet, Rajat deeply cares about his teammates and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie. This quality earns him immediate respect and makes him someone players will willingly follow."

3. Resilience & Grit – "There’s a certain steeliness about Rajat. He is strong-willed and determined, qualities that will be crucial in navigating the highs and lows of the tournament. Even in training, I’ve seen his conviction—sometimes he won’t even take my coaching advice! But that inner confidence is exactly what a leader needs."

As RCB gears up for the upcoming IPL season, all eyes will be on Patidar to see how he shapes his leadership journey. With the backing of legends like Kohli and de Villiers, and a strong belief in his own abilities, he is set to embrace this new challenge head-on.